Author Keith Paulusse releases 'Vertrek'
LEOPOLD, Australia (PRWEB) March 23, 2015 -- Spanning decades of Dutch-Australian heritage, living through the counter-culture movement and witnessing the variegated socio-cultural issues that shaped modern Australia as it is today, author Keith Paulusse chronicles a significant part of history nobody else has told before. In "Vertrek" (published by Xlibris AU), Paulusse shares his colorful, coming of age story during an era of cultural transition, controversial social policies and the incorporation of Dutch heritage into the intricate concoction of Australian history. "Vertrek" is the first line of books to lead and celebrate the 400th year celebration of Dutch presence in Australia in 2016.
"Vertrek" is a social biography of fifteen postwar Australian-Dutch families, taking central stage is the Paulusse family. It tells of their trips and triumphs as they sought incorporation in a conservative Angloceltic society that was years behind in attitude and sophistication. Told with typical Dutch candidness, it commences with their Amsterdam departure, Melbourne arrival, Bonegilla migrant assimilation camp, building their first house and the 1960s counterculture movements to the death of a child, the death of President Kennedy, befriending original 1914 Anzacs soldiers on Postman's round the moon landing, marriages, HIV AIDS and the tuition-free School of Languages. The biography finishes with Bets and Piet’s – the author’s parents - last and final vertrek.
Against the backdrop of this cultural cauldron, the author brilliantly lays out his own story as he progressed from a boy into manhood, experienced empowerment and characterized the virtues of courage and resilience.
"It is a story of my personal awakening as it is a tribute to my family and other Dutch and Australian families and friends long gone. Through me, their stories remain alive, which I hope to share with you. They were my significant teachers and mentors who, to this day, continue to sustain and inspire me," says Paulusse.
Honest and wonderfully insightful, "Vertrek" offers an intimate look into the life of a man, a portrait of an extraordinary family and an exploration into a forgotten part of history.
“Vertrek”
By Keith Paulusse
Hardcover | 6x9in | 316 pages | ISBN 9781499031751
Softcover | 6x9in | 316 pages | ISBN 9781499031706
E-Book | 316 pages | ISBN 9781499031768
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Keith Paulusse was born in the city of Terneuzen in The Netherlands. At age 11, he migrated to Australia. He left school at 13 to start work in an Australian butter factory. At 15, he became a postman. He completed his secondary education by working and studying part time paying his way. Paulusse attended Deakin University and studied Social Science, majoring in Psychology. His life was shaped by championing Social Justice. At various times, he was an entrepreneur starting and publishing cultural magazines. For the past six years, he has operated a ‘tuition free’ School of Languages for International Students, Refugees, Migrants and Australians with literacy challenges. He has written articles about Dutch Innovativeness, People Living with AIDS and his experience of caring for his parents who suffered from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson. He lives in an Australian coastal town near the Great Ocean Road amidst dunes, lakes, rivers and sea.
Xlibris Publishing Australia, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider dedicated to serving Australian authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles.For more information, visit xlibrispublishing.com.au or call 1800 455 039 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisAus on Twitter for the latest news.
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