Give the gift of inspiration this holiday season with two captivating books that tell unforgettable Australian stories:

For the Rugby Union Enthusiast:
A Year in the Life and Death of the Melbourne Rebels by Geoff Parkes – Take a deep dive into the highs and lows of Australian Rugby Union. From behind-the-scenes drama to thrilling on-field action, this is the ultimate read for sports fans.

For the History & Aviation Lover:
Relentless Skies: The Most Efficient Airman, 1910-1942 by Ian Campbell – Discover the remarkable life of Australia’s pioneer aviator and wartime commander, Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennett CB CBE DSO FRAeS – A story of courage, innovation, and dedication that soars through history.

Why These Make Great Gifts:

• Celebrate the Aussie spirit of determination and passion
• Perfect for lazy days or cozy evenings
• A thoughtful choice for loved ones who appreciate true stories

Order Now: Combine these two incredible reads for an unforgettable Christmas gift bundle!

#ChristmasGifts #BooksForGifting #RugbyUnion #WWIIHistory #AustralianStories

A Year in the Life and Death of the Melbourne Rebels

In November 2023, the Melbourne Rebels began a pre-season full of hope and optimism. With a deep roster and a strong, unifying ‘Ubuntu’ culture embedding itself within the franchise, there was high anticipation that the 2024 season – their 14th – would finally deliver success. Granted unprecedented insider access, writer Geoff Parkes set out to document the Rebels’ season and to provide rugby followers with an insight into what makes a professional rugby franchise work.

What followed was an extraordinary turn of events: the club tipped into voluntary administration early in 2024, now not only fighting to compete in one of global rugby’s toughest elite competitions, but against a governing body intent on shutting it down.

A Year in the Life and Death of the Melbourne Rebels is a raw, close-up account of a group of committed people who, despite being forced to operate under severe financial and emotional stress, strove to take their club to its first ever Super Rugby finals appearance.

This book also provides a window into the administration of rugby in Australia; a troubling account of how a newly found determination to impose financial austerity clashed head on with rugby’s traditional values of respect, comradeship, and a shared love of the game.

​Relentless Skies: Volume 1: The Most Efficient Airman (1910-1942)

The Life of Australia’s Pioneer Aviator and Wartime Commander Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennett CB CBE DSO FRAeS

Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennett CB CBE DSO FRAeS is best known as the Australian commander of the Royal Air Force’s elite Path Finder Force in the Second World War. His drive, determination and passion for excellence saw him play a principal role in prosecuting the bombing campaign against Nazi Germany.

Yet, the full story of his life has never been comprehensively explored. Few can recount his exploits as a pioneering aviator, or know why he was regarded as the most technically brilliant airman of his generation. Fewer still know the man’s background, interests, passions and obsessions, or what drove him to his many aviation achievements.

Relentless Skies, Volume I: The Most Efficient Airman, explores Bennett’s life up to 1942. New light is shed on his early years, pilot training, participation in the Centenary Air Race, setting world records in the seaplane Mercury, the 1940 rescue of the Polish General Staff from France and how he survived being shot down whilst attacking the Tirpitz.

Binding together this series of extraordinary events and achievements is, crucially, an exploration of Bennett’s character and how it influenced his choices, relationships and approach to leadership. Unparalleled access to the Bennett archive has enabled biographer Ian Campbell to reveal the many facets of one of Australia’s greatest, and often misunderstood, wartime leaders.

Volume II: An Exacting Task will explore Bennett’s time leading the Path Finder Force, and his post-war career.

“Thoroughly researched and vigorously written, this long-overdue biography is the remarkable story of one of the world’s greatest aviators and wartime leaders, whose true contribution to aviation history is still yet to be fully recognised. Ian Campbell is to be congratulated, for Bennett was an important man, and this is an important book:”
Sean Feast
Author of Pathfinders – the Definitive Story
Trustee of The RAF Pathfinders Archive

A Year in the Life and Death of the Melbourne Rebels

In November 2023, the Melbourne Rebels began a pre-season full of hope and optimism. With a deep roster and a strong, unifying ‘Ubuntu’ culture embedding itself within the franchise, there was high anticipation that the 2024 season – their 14th – would finally deliver success. Granted unprecedented insider access, writer Geoff Parkes set out to document the Rebels’ season and to provide rugby followers with an insight into what makes a professional rugby franchise work.

What followed was an extraordinary turn of events: the club tipped into voluntary administration early in 2024, now not only fighting to compete in one of global rugby’s toughest elite competitions, but against a governing body intent on shutting it down.

A Year in the Life and Death of the Melbourne Rebels is a raw, close-up account of a group of committed people who, despite being forced to operate under severe financial and emotional stress, strove to take their club to its first ever Super Rugby finals appearance.

This book also provides a window into the administration of rugby in Australia; a troubling account of how a newly found determination to impose financial austerity clashed head on with rugby’s traditional values of respect, comradeship, and a shared love of the game.

​Relentless Skies: Volume 1: The Most Efficient Airman (1910-1942)

The Life of Australia’s Pioneer Aviator and Wartime Commander Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennett CB CBE DSO FRAeS

Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennett CB CBE DSO FRAeS is best known as the Australian commander of the Royal Air Force’s elite Path Finder Force in the Second World War. His drive, determination and passion for excellence saw him play a principal role in prosecuting the bombing campaign against Nazi Germany.

Yet, the full story of his life has never been comprehensively explored. Few can recount his exploits as a pioneering aviator, or know why he was regarded as the most technically brilliant airman of his generation. Fewer still know the man’s background, interests, passions and obsessions, or what drove him to his many aviation achievements.

Relentless Skies, Volume I: The Most Efficient Airman, explores Bennett’s life up to 1942. New light is shed on his early years, pilot training, participation in the Centenary Air Race, setting world records in the seaplane Mercury, the 1940 rescue of the Polish General Staff from France and how he survived being shot down whilst attacking the Tirpitz.

Binding together this series of extraordinary events and achievements is, crucially, an exploration of Bennett’s character and how it influenced his choices, relationships and approach to leadership. Unparalleled access to the Bennett archive has enabled biographer Ian Campbell to reveal the many facets of one of Australia’s greatest, and often misunderstood, wartime leaders.

Volume II: An Exacting Task will explore Bennett’s time leading the Path Finder Force, and his post-war career.

“Thoroughly researched and vigorously written, this long-overdue biography is the remarkable story of one of the world’s greatest aviators and wartime leaders, whose true contribution to aviation history is still yet to be fully recognised. Ian Campbell is to be congratulated, for Bennett was an important man, and this is an important book:”
Sean Feast
Author of Pathfinders – the Definitive Story
Trustee of The RAF Pathfinders Archive