Jeparit Press, an imprint of Connor Court Publishing and The Robert Menzies Institute.
August 2026
RRP: $24.95
ISBN: 9781923568457
I really want to thank Belinda for asking me to review this terrific slice of history because, though I am that nerd who enjoys all things historical, I really had no idea about any of this. And that’s somewhat surprising given I grew up in Sydney and took history at school, though admittedly by senior it was Ancient History which was my preference over Modern.
This is such a departure from Belinda’s usual books filled with magical adventures, or animals, or charming creatures such as unicorns but a real testament to her background in journalism.
On the 75th anniversary of the ANZUS treaty [timing awkward given the fraught nature of any connections with the US currently, I grant you] this is a fictional account of Australia’s key playmaker in that pact, The Honourable Sir Percy Spender, providing real insight into the man, his family, his times, our country at that point and the diplomatic tensions that prevailed.
Belinda has extensively referenced primary sources and many photographs, newspaper clippings and other ephemera are included as well as occasional illustrations.
The narrative centres on Spender’s younger son, Jack, and a young Sydney girl who, due to her exceptional success in secretarial training at Miss Hale’s College [a very familiar institution to us Sydney girls, even if we didn’t take that route to a job], has landed a job in Percy Spender’s ministerial offices. 15-year-old Annie, is very much aware of the significance of gaining her post and due to her own resourcefulness and ability, works her way up to being a pivotal part of the Spender political cohort.
These two young people, both of very different social standings and educations, find mutual ground in their belief in the course that Percy Spender is trying to set, to keep our country as safe as possible. I could say, it’s a shame we don’t have contemporaries of his ilk at this fraught juncture in history.
Don’t expect this to be an action packed narrative, as this one is more a quiet laying out of a snapshot of Australian diplomacy and politics at an important juncture. I found it completely engrossing, firstly because of learning about the history but also because of the way it’s been presented from the PoV of two young people for whom these times would prove pivotal moving forward to their adult lives.
It would be a very important book to recommend to your senior students in particular, those who are studying modern/Australian history or political science etc. But also due to its basis in the Cold War period and the alliances made following WWII, it is definitely worth a place not only on your shelf but in your read-around-your-topic collection.
It is easy to discern Belinda’s impeccable research in this. It shines through in every single chapter and I particularly love the insights into the family life of the Spenders, rather than just the political machinations. Now into its third generation of politicians with teal representative, Allegra Spender (now jointly representing the Community Strong Australia with Zali Steggall), this is a dynasty that continues to shape the governance of our country.
It’s fascinating to trace this going back those 75 years and many of your astute students will also find this to be true. It’s a 5 👩🏻⚖️📚𓍝🏛️🖋️rating from me for interested students from upper primary onwards, including adult readers.
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