The book was launched this week at a cocktail party, as part of the Evening VIEW Club’s 25th birthday celebrations.

Stephen Comans flew in from New Zealand, where he now lives with his wife, to attend the launch, and see his work in print. 

He told his story of the time he walked the Kokoda Trail, with two of his classmates, Thea Ingold and Danielle McKenzie, and one of his teachers,Karen Bulbert, from Ulladulla High School.

He decided to walk the Kokoda Trail when he was in year nine at Ulladulla High, after reading about the opportunity in the Times newspaper classifieds section.

“It’s cool to read the stories back,” Stephen said. 

“It took nine days to walk the track, and it was a constant reminder of war. Some of it was very emotional to read back over,” he said. 

“The book was a good opportunity, and gave me a chance to come back and see my family, who still live in Ulladulla” said Stephen. 

Stephen’s is one of the 60 stories, written by local people, that have been published in the book.

All proceeds from the book sales will go towards the Smith Family’s program for the education of disadvantaged children. 

VIEW club’s around Australia have helped 134 265 disadvantaged children in the last year alone through their fundraising efforts. 

The idea for a book came from Ulladulla Evening VIEW club members, who were encouraged and supported by local publisher, Garry Evans. 

It has taken 8 months of hard work from the Evening VIEW Club to put the book together and put submissions together for publication.

More than 100 people were there to celebrate the launch, and books were almost sold out. 

There are a small number of copies left at the Harbour Bookshop in Rowens Arcade, and the club will be doing a second print run, so if you miss out, you can still order a copy.