Victor Paul Sutherland was to a born to a dairy farmer in Milton, New South Wales, Australia on the15th of August 1945. The day of the Victory in the Pacific; thus the intials VP. He had several different jobs during the time that he was a Jockey and talks about some of the mischivious antics that happened. He became aTrainer when he became too heavey to ride and tells of his heart breaks and triumphs throughout his carreer. He also exposes some bihind the scenes facts of some sordid affai...

Truth is often stranger than fiction, as this outstanding collection of urban myths and incredible stories vividly demonstrates. Among them you will find examples of amazing lawsuits, crazy criminals, humiliating misfortune, and embarrassing mistakes. What the stories all share is the capacity to make you wonder at the sheer richness of experience life has to offer - and the breath-taking stupidity of some people!

Patty spent the first thirty three years of her life living with her family on remote outback station properties - Old Bando, Minetta, Old Outstation - in south west Queensland, Australia. When her brother, Kerry developed a brain tumor, they moved to live in Charleville - a small outback town. Patty has an understanding of the land, and a great love of reading. Look beyond the words to a life lived devoid of any luxuries, without ever a complaint, but full of simple joys, happiness and lo...

A celebration of chest puffing goodness and kindness from around the country written in inimitable Peter FitzSimon's style.You gotta love this country when an AFL legend takes his mum instead of his girlfriend to the Brownlow, when an Australian cricket captain joins a bunch of fourteen year olds for a bit of street cricket, when a bloke wins the Australian Marbles Championship after being reunited with the tom-bowlers his brother threw away forty years ago, and wh...

Matthew Benns takes us inside the murky world of Australia's racing industry.Dapper horse trainer Les Samba was in Melbourne for the annual yearling sales when he turned down an Italian meal with racing contacts saying: "I have got to meet a bloke." Just hours later he was laying dead, in the middle of the road with blood pouring from five bullet wounds to his head and body.Racing in Australia has a dark and dangerous underbelly. Powerful people play for hig...

From the moment I am born, I am like no-one else around me. I am a fish out of water. Even in the pool.Leisel Jones is rightly regarded as one of the greatest breaststrokers ever. At just fifteen, she won two silver medals at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000; she went on to win gold at Athens and Beijing, and at London 2012 became the first Australian swimmer to compete at four Olympics.For the first time, Leisel candidly describes what it’s like to be thrust into ...

Ray 'Rabbits' Warren is the legendary voice of Australian sports commentary. People tell him he must have drunk a bottle of scotch and smoked a packet of cigarettes every day to have the voice that he has. That's not the case – at least, not anymore . . .The son of a railway worker, Ray placed his first bet on a horse called Playboy at the age of just six, and won. A lifelong love of the track – and the punt – was born.During his remarkable broadcasting career, which has no...

'I broke some bones and I copped some head knocks. But if I had my time again I would not change a thing.'Three premierships, three club best-and-fairests, two All Australian selections and a Coleman Medal: Jonathan Brown knows footy, and he has stories to tell.Browny grew up around country football clubs and could swear like a trooper by the age of four. By the time he was taken by the Brisbane Lions under the father-son rule, he'd developed the ability to train (and party) ...

'All of the love that you put into your animals has come out on screen, on my screen and it will be there forever.' - Steven SpielbergThe inspirational true story of a remarkable young woman who overcame an unconventional childhood, personal tragedy and depression to work as a stunt woman and then as one of the most successful animal trainers in Australia, if not the world. Zelie's love of animals and their affection for her has kept her going during even her darkest moments, and u...

'The governor called me into his office one fine day and in his best serious voice with his best serious look told me I could no longer write letters to my publishers because it appeared to him that I was trying to write another book. The man should have been a rocket scientist ...'Including stories about drinking with Bob Hawke, Chopper's reflections on the closing of the infamous H-Division section of Pentridge Jail, his unique take on race relations, sex and rel...

EVER HAD AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY ON THE PUNT?Racing aficionado Patrick Bartley collects tales of fervour, intrigue and folly straight from the track. His anecdotes offer a view into the world of racing: the big wins, gut-wrenching losses, plunges, long-shot winners and larger-than-life characters that colour Australia's racetracks.Brimming with Bartley's signature wit, these stories will have you trackside before you can even open a form guide.'Patrick ha...

When Shane Crawford debuted for Hawthorn Football Club in 1993, little did he know what an amazing future awaited him. The kid from tiny Finley in New South Wales would become a champion of the game, the heart and soul of his club, and a successful media performer.Crawf's seventeen seasons with the Hawks were far from easy but his loyalty to the brown-and-gold was rewarded when he finally reached Australia's biggest stage – grand final day at the MCG – where, agains...