A photo with Bryce from my Bryce Courtenay Fan Club lunch in Sydney

Meeting Bryce was a very unexpected joy which has left me feeling overwhelmed. The experience of a lifetime to meet the wonderful Bryce Courtenay and share lunch with him and eight of his Facebook fans who were lucky enough to win a competition on Bryce's Facebook page which asked 'what was your favourite book' and 'why do you want to meet him'. The chance to have lunch with Bryce to celebrate the launch of his latest book propelled me to write a heartfelt email that flowed as a stream of consciousness, rushed and not edited as I had only noticed the competition the night before it was due to close. When I received an email on my mobile phone's gmail (email) application a few days later to say that I had been chosen as one of the eight Sydney winners I couldn't believe my good fortune.

Such a surreal day which started with a bus into Wollongong at 7.30am from Lake Illawarra and then train ride in the same carriage as my primary school teacher from Year 6 (1983) who was my inspiration to become a teacher myself. I sat quietly (so unlike me) and waited until he caught sight of me and the smile of recognition was priceless. He was travelling with his Year 5/6 class for a week long camp and it brought back memories of Point Wolstencroft, the camp he took my class on over 25 years ago. It is such a small world!

After we parted at Central Station I travelled to Edgecliff and then walked to Paddington along Ocean St and Hargrave St. I met so many interesting people along my journey. I am glad that I had arrived over an hour earlier than required so that I could take the time, camera in hand, to enjoy a very hilly walk littered by historic buildings, architectural details of terrace houses and stop and talk to locals who filled me in on local history on my way to the Bellevue Hotel in Paddington. An amazing hotel chosen as venue for the Sydney book launch of The Story of Danny Dunn with a group of Bryce's Facebook fans.

With his gentle grace, generosity and warmth of spirit, this wonderful man changed my life when I picked up a copy of The Power of One as a teenager. His story has touched millions of people around the world and it was truly an honour to meet him in person. If you ever get the opportunity to do so, please seize it. You will be forever changed.

Thank you for such a wonderful experience. One which I will never forget.

John Quincy Adams wrote "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."

With your books you lead us on a path to becoming a better person, to caring more about the world and people around us. You touch our hearts and minds with the generous way in which you share your life and tell the stories of those who have in turn touched your heart.

Thank you.

File: _VPR7056_bryce_courtenay_vanessa_portrait_500

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Taken on: November 17, 2009

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Camera: Pentax K20D, f/2.8, 1/45 sec, 30mm (=45mm), ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Pentax K20D
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.022 sec (1/45)
Focal Length:	30mm (35mm equivalent: 45mm)
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	+1 EV
Flash:	On, Fired
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Manual
Contrast:	High
Saturation:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Unknown (-1)
Software:	picnik.com
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