Jacqueline Dinan

Author of books about remarkable life stories

All publications are available at public libraries.

Between the Dances is available for purchase by contacting Jacqueline via email.

 

  • My Dad's Gone Away

    An illustrated book for children who have an incarcerated parent.

  • Between the Dances

    An insightful collection of short stories about the roles women undertook during WW2

  • A Woman’s War

    Historical fiction looking at WW1 through the eyes of a mother on the home-front while her boys are fighting at the gruesome Battle of Pozieres.

  • Racing the Boys

    A fictional interpretation of the true journey of Hedwick ‘Granny’ McDonald.

  • In the fight

    In the fight

    Compelling stories of the involvement of Australians in the Burma campaign of World War Two

My Dad’s Gone Away

My Dad’s Gone Away is an illustrated book for children who have an incarcerated parent. The main character is a primary-aged Indigenous girl, who befriends a non-Indigenous boy of a similar age.

The third-person narrative, starts with Tarah wondering and then fantasising about where her dad has gone. Reality hits when her mum reveals that Tarah’s dad has gone to prison. With many questions in her head, Tarah feels let down and anxious about an impending visit to her dad in prison.

At the first prison visit, she enjoys catching up with her dad and also meeting a boy who is there visiting his father. Tarah feels strengthened by making a friend of someone else who also has a dad in prison. She awaits the next visiting day with enthusiasm.

Underpinning the girl’s journey are positive themes of the benefits in communicating about her feelings and building resilience, while showcasing the new friendship between an Indigenous and non-Indigenous child.

A subtle underlying educational theme emphasises the need to cope with a period of separation from a loved one by finding a focus away from the main trauma.

“A strong, direct and important story, beautifully told and illustrated. ”
— Paul Kelly

In the Fight

Within this book, In the Fight, which tells the compelling stories of the involvement of Australians in the Burma campaign of World War Two, Jacqueline wrote the chapter on the Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma) that operated food canteens behind the front lines and at rest/transition centres.

Military and civilian personnel, including war correspondents, Red Cross nurses, Royal Australian Navy sailors, war artists, commandos and saboteurs, soldiers serving with the British Indian Army, the Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma), well known sportsmen, government officials dealing with the terrible Bengal famine, Qantas crews and POWs in the Rangoon Jail are all covered in the various chapters, each written by contributors.

Between the Dances

An insightful collection of short stories about the roles women undertook during WW2 - services, on the land, volunteering at home and in nursing. Jacqueline undertook the fascinating process of interviewing about 300 remarkable women or their spokesperson, capturing these stories at the 11th hour.

Between the Dances is available for purchase by contacting Jacqueline via email.

 
 

“It is a treasury of yarns about young Australian women snatching the opportunity to serve their country and supporting each other and their families in any way they could, in Australia or overseas … fell in love with almost all of them: brave, resourceful, funny, inventive, cheeky women.”

Shirley Stott-Despoja,
The Adelaide Review

“There are some anecdotal gems in this book, ensuring that Between the Dances will add to Australia’s recorded history of the era.”

The Weekly Times,
Country Living

“This is such an exciting, engaging and important book. For history teachers it is handing you a rich and varied resource that will encourage, enthuse and empower students to ask the questions and seek the answers for themselves. This is a real gift.”

Bernie Howitt, Editor,
History Teachers Association of NSW inc.

 

A Woman’s War

A Woman’s War - Historical fiction looking at WW1 through the eyes of a mother on the home-front while her boys are fighting at the gruesome Battle of Pozieres.

“A remarkable story…I heartily endorse the book as means of raising awareness of the chronological events of WW1…”

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch

“It is rare to read a woman’s account in fiction form…this book offers a timely account of the heart-rendering story of a mother’s loss in war.”

The Weekly Times

“The research that went into this book is phenomenal...it is authentic, real and you feel in total empathy with the story of those left at home.”

Aussie Writer’s Rock

“Akin to ‘My Brother Jack’ and ‘Fly Away Peter’, ‘A Woman’s War’ presents themes and historical information, allowing it to marry learning between English and History classes. ”

HTAV Bulletin

“As there are so few books written about war from the point of view of women, this timely and wide ranging record is going to contribute greatly to the long neglected female perspective on wars, invariably started by men.”

Dr Jonathan King,
Military Historian

“The book explores community spirit, class structure and contemporary politics in early twentieth century Melbourne.”

Marion Dewar, Editor, The Country Women’s Association of Victoria Inc

“It provides a unique and intimate perspective… ”

RSL News

“…this is a myth-buster.”

Country Style Magazine

“An emotional journey for elderly readers and a great history lesson for everyone else.”

Herald Sun

Racing the Boys

Racing the Boys - A fictional interpretation of the true journey of Hedwick ‘Granny’ McDonald, an ordinary woman with an extraordinary passion for training thoroughbreds in her own spirited way during an era when racing was almost totally male dominated.

“Jacqueline Dinan imaginatively melds fact with fiction to tell Granny’s inspirational story in full for the first time, taking us back to the thirties with a view from both sides of the Tasman.”

Dr Andrew Lemon, Author,
The History of Australian Thoroughbred Racing

“ Granny McDonald achieved a milestone in a male dominated profession. In doing so she paved the way for racing women like myself to follow in her footsteps many years later.”

Sheila Laxon, Trainer of Ethereal,
2001 Melbourne Cup Winner

 

“Jacqueline Dinan brings an extraordinary woman of New Zealand racing to life.”

Mary Mountier, Author,
Racing Women of New Zealand