One of Australia's best-selling non-fiction writers Peter FitzSimons AM will discuss his latest book during an author's talk at Stawell Library next month.
Northern Grampians Shire Council mayor Karen Hyslop said securing a visit from the prolific author was a coup for Northern Grampians Libraries.
"Peter has published at least 27 books, which showcase his passion for telling Australian stories, shining a light on great men and women along with major events in our country's history," she said.
"These stories include biographies of notable Australians including Sir Douglas Mawson and Nancy Wake, along with highly successful titles including Breaker Morant, Burke and Wills, Kokoda, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli.
"Peter has many strings to his bow. He has been a journalist for more than 40 years, writing for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald, and is also a radio and television personality.
"Before launching his career in the media, he was also a successful rugby union player, representing Australia in 1989 and 1999 before playing rugby for regional clubs in France and Italy for a few years.
"He is a fascinating man and so are his stories – I can't wait to welcome him to Stawell to discuss his newest book, The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop."
FitzSimons will speak at Stawell Library on Monday, November 17 at 11am.
"I encourage the community to make the most of this extraordinary event," Cr Hyslop said.
"To have an author of Peter's calibre come to our shire is very exciting."
In The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop, FitzSimons shares the extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of the Second World War.
In September 1939, young Australian surgeon Edward 'Weary' Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed.
Signing up, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps, AAMC, and sent to the Middle East, serving in Palestine, Greece, Crete, Egypt and Tobruk. As the European war dragged on, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores.
Weary and more than 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy.
At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets.
From that moment his leadership, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway.
In the POW camps, tropical diseases, malnutrition and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific.
And yet, with little to no medical supplies, under extreme physical pressure, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance.
Weary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school.
The Second World War was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command.
"You can learn more about this amazing story at Stawell Library. The event is free of charge, but attendees are encouraged to book their spot," Cr Hyslop said.
"We are also providing the St Arnaud community with a free bus to and from this event."
