The first accredited woman war correspondent was an Australian, Louise Mack, who reported from behind enemy lines on the German invasion of Belgium. She was the inspiration for the character of Rebecca Quinn, in Pamela Hart’s A Letter from Italy. Her story intersects with that of the Royal Australian Navy, which sent a flotilla to Italy in 1917 to help with the blockade of the Adriatic Sea.

We don’t get many stories about the Navy. The Australian story of WWI concentrates on the Army in Gallipoli and France, but Australian soldiers and sailors served in many other theatres of war. The Adriatic story is one of extraordinary service and heroism, and is told through the eyes of an Australian woman who is fighting a battle of her own: to be taken seriously in a man’s profession.

The stories behind the story form the basis for Pamela’s Anzac Day talk. Pamela will be happy to also answer questions about historical or family research.

Pamela Hart:

Pamela is an award-winning author for both adults and children. Her best-selling historical novels are set in the early part of 20th century, and include The Soldier’s Wife and The War Bride.

She has a Doctorate of Creative Arts from the University of Technology, Sydney, where she has also lectured in creative writing. Under her birth name, Pamela Freeman, she wrote the historical novel The Black Dress, which won the NSW Premier's History Prize for 2006 and is now in its third edition. Pamela is also well known for her fantasy novels for adults, published by Orbit worldwide, the Castings Trilogy and her Aurealis Award winning novel Ember and Ash. As Pamela Freeman, she is the author of more than 20 books for children. Pamela lives in Sydney with her husband and their son. A Letter from Italy is her 32nd book.

With thanks to Hachette Australia