‘This little book reminds me of one of those tiny electric torches, no bigger than a walnut; women often carry one attached to their handbag, and men to their key-ring. Small, yes, but they cast a brilliant light into a dark corner. Diana Giese, in plain language and from much personal knowledge, describes the heroic quarter-century of the Northern Territory’s effort to remake itself, following its total ruination during the Second World War.’ Peter Ryan, Quadrant, July-August 2009 |
‘This fascinating title looks at the emergence of Darwin post-World War II, from war-ravaged outpost to Australia’s fastest-growing city in the 1960s. Diana Giese draws on the experience of her parents to paint this essential piece of Australian history in vivid detail, capturing the voices and the personalities of our Top End pioneers.’ QBD The Bookshop |
‘A little gem that blends authoritative information and lightness of touch with clarity of communication and humane values. In a spirit of generosity, people dominate this story, as they always should in a history, but seldom do.’ Helga Griffin, co-editor, Bougainville before the conflict, Pandanus Books, 2005, now working on the early history of Townsville |
‘Giese has refreshingly matter-of-fact views on the desirability of economic development and social progress for Aborigines and for Territorians generally. She writes with a broad readership in mind rather than an academic audience, aiming to capture what life was like for people living in the Top End at the time…’ Christopher Pearson, The Weekend Australian, 23 May 2009 |
‘Giese describes the many colourful events that have shaped the development of Darwin since the War in areas such as education, sport, politics, entertainment and news reporting. She also describes how the multi-racial mixture of the Darwin community managed to co-exist years before the term "multicultural" came into common usage. The book also features a range of photographs from the PictureNT collection of the Northern Territory Library and from Giese’s own collection.’ Book of the Month, Northern Territory Library, July 2009 |
‘Ms Giese’s story honours the post-war pioneers who built community and culture in the Top End from the 1950s to self-government…the people of the Top End needed to invent for themselves a new kind of Australian community. There was a real identity of spirit and interest.’ The Darwin Sun, 27 May 2009 |
‘Sun Newspapers readers have put another piece in the puzzle of Darwin’s past. Author Diana Giese launched her book, A better place to live last Thursday, to a surprise visit from two women who identified the children in the cover photograph from a picture in last week’s Sun…’ The Darwin Sun, 10 June 2009 |
‘Darwin has had its fair share of turmoil in Australia’s history. Thanks to the courage and resilience of its people, it has come a long way. I found reading A better place to live an enriching experience. There is a lot of valuable information detailing the history of Darwin’s struggle and emergence as a modern city.’ Francis Lee, SBS Radio, June 2009 |
‘Concise, informative and highly readable. It filled in many important gaps in my understanding of the era.’ Kerry Trapnell, Documentary Photographer, Northern Australia |
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‘Diana’s book takes the reader on a trip through Darwin’s history starting with the post-war town and following it through the granting of city status in 1959, becoming the fastest-growing city in Australia in the 1960s, the devastation of Cyclone Tracy in 1974, and finally to the culturally diverse city of the 2000s.’ Keith Suter, Radio 2GB Sydney, June 2009 |
‘Q: What is it about Darwin…keeps bringing people back, even after total devastation? Diana Giese: This sense of being Territorians, able to work together to make something of their lives in a society where family, faith, voluntary association and culture flourish.’ Off the Leash, June 2009 |
‘Book tribute to NT pioneers…Ms Giese said, after the bombing of Darwin, there was very little left…"You had to start from nothing, and see how you can build up that sense of community," she said.’ The Northern Territory News, 4 June 2009 |
‘A valuable and most readable contribution to the history of Aborigines in the Northern Territory…particularly timely.’ Emeritus Professor Helen Hughes, Centre for Independent Studies |
‘A really great book. You spoke the truth.’ Jimmy Anderson, one of the book’s ‘cover kids’ |
‘Interesting and enlightening—an informative summary. The timing is perfect. It allows people to make comparisons between the policies of her father’s time, the progress then, the regression, and the situation now.’ Joyce Cheong Chin, former Associate Dean, School of Fashion and Library Studies, Northern Territory University |
‘It’s the Gieses of this country who build things or make them happen.’ Jim Bradridge, ex-Darwin Community College |
‘I love the authority and integrity of the research blended with pacy narrative.’ Kay Comino, teacher, Sydney |
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