FLORIADE: CHRISTOPHER JOHN/FLICKR
The Savage Shore
GRAHAM SEAL,
ALLEN & UNWIN, $32.99
The settlement of
Australia by the British
was a turning point in
this continent’s history,
but author Graham Seal
argues that the Dutch
played a far greater role
in the discovery of
Australia by Europeans
than they are given credit
for. Graham, a professor
of folklore at Curtin
University in Perth, also
delivers insights into the
maritime voyages of
the Dutch, Spanish,
Portuguese, French and
Macassans, and tells
colourful stories about
the spirit of navigation
and exploration, and of
courageous and miserable
adventures at sea.You can enter by downloading the free viewa app and using
your smartphone or tablet to scan this page, or by visiting:
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/issue128Bees: An Up-Close Look
at Pollinators Around
the World
SAM DROEGE AND
LAURENCE PACKER,
VOYAGEUR PRESS, $25
The delicate wings, hairy
bodies and huge eyes of
more than 100 bee
species are given to us in
a gloriously detailed
macro-photography
treatment. Biologists
Sam Droege and
Laurence Packer urge us
to pay closer attention to
these small pollinators
that so often fly under
the radar. The book has a
global focus, but looks at
a dozen important
Australian families and
includes detailed
information about their
behaviour, appearance
and distribution.AG’S BOOK SHELF
The World at my
Feet: The Extraordinary
Story of the Record-
Breaking Fastest Run
Around the Earth
TOM DENNISS,
ALLEN & UNWIN, $32.99
This is Australian runner
Tom Denniss’s firsthand
account of his remarka-
ble journey to become
the fastest person to
circumnavigate the world
on foot. During his
622-day, 26,232km-long
effort, Denniss tackled at
least the equivalent of a
marathon every day, and,
along the way, encoun-
tered some hairy
challenges as well as an
immense variety of
social, culinary and
natural diversity. In the
end he broke the world
record by 40 days.We’re giving away 10 copies of the BBC’sWild Kingdom:
The Great British Year, thanks to Roadshow Entertainment.
Follow the wildlife of the British Isles through changes in
season and learn about the evolution of its plants and
animals. New filming techniques expose forces of nature- both big and small – while time-lapse photography
captures subtle landscape changes otherwise unseen.
Competition
CANBERRAFLORIADE
Go by day to see millions
of tulips and annuals
blooming beside Lake
Burley Griffi n, or by
night for cutting-edge
light installations. This
iconic celebration of
spring is in its 27th year.
When and where:
12 September–11 October,
Commonwealth Park, ACT
More info: http://www.fl oriadeaustralia.comDARWINDARWIN INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
Enjoy the quintessential Top End experience,
relaxing in a deckchair while watching
alternative fi lms. Outside of the fi lms, enjoy
workshops, talks and pop-up screenings.
When and where:
16–23 September, Darwin, NT
More info: http://www.darwinfi lmfest.com.auNATIONWIDEBIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA’S AUSSIE
BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
Take 20 minutes to record the bird species
in your backyard, favourite park or ‘green
space’ with the Aussie Bird Count app or
website, and join thousands of other keen
twitchers taking part across the nation.
When and where:
19–25 October, backyards around Australia
More info: http://www.aussiebirdcount.org.auMELBOURNESOUTH-EAST ASIA FESTIVAL
Embrace Australia’s multiculturalism
with food, activities, music, cultural develop-
ments and more from 10 South-East Asian
nations, including: Malaysia, Singapore,
Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos,
Cambodia and Indonesia.
When and where:
3–4 October, Argyle Square, Carlton, VIC
More info: http://www.onlymelbourne.com.auWHAT’S
ON
September–October 2015 121