Synopsis
Australia’s Nightingale is the story of the world renowned opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. It introduces young readers to her life; from her birth in Melbourne, the tragedy of her mother and sisters’ deaths, her passion for music, her determination to succeed as an opera singer, her triumphs and the tribulations of her journey; as a wife and mother, as an entrepreneur and astute business woman, as an icon and as a woman.
Author Inspiration
I am writing a series of books on Inspirational Australian Women.
I write them for numerous reasons.
I write them as a source of alternate, wonderful role models for today’s youth. Role models that inspire beyond the family, social and traditional media environments that saturate our youth’s lives.
I write them for my 3 boys, that will one day be men. In order to create a society of equality and respect, we must teach and guide both boys and girls, by providing them with appropriate female messaging. The values that we teach them today will form the basis of their future selves. So I write my books to introduce women who lived lives following their hearts and passions. Women who were determined to find expression of their true selves and would accept nothing less.
I write these books to inspire our youth to trust and believe in themselves.
Australia’s Nightingale is a story about perseverance, courage, determination, conquering your fears and overcoming your set-backs, accomplishing your dreams, defying the norms and it is also about beauty.
Educational Themes
The Changing Role of Women in Society
1. The Historical Role of Women
2. The Changing Role of Women during the 20th century
3. The Role of Women in Today’s Society
4. Women as Business Leaders
5. Women as Social Conscience
Inspirational Characteristics.
1. Ability to dream beyond convention
2. Perseverance
3. Courage
4. Self Respect
5. Resilience
6. Determination
7. Generosity
Discussion Topics
Marriage and Motherhood
What place did Marriage and Motherhood have in Nellie’s life?
What is your view on the roles of men and women in Marriage and Parenting today?
Courage
What is Courage?
When and how did Nellie show Courage?
Give examples of other types of Courage and Courageous people.
Resilience
What does it mean to have Resilience?
How did Nellie show Resilience?
Does a person need to experience hardship and tragedy in order to be Resilient?
Who has shown Resilience in your life? And how?
Generosity
Does Generosity always mean a willingness to give someone money?
What are other forms of Generosity? And how are you Generous?
How is Generosity shown in Australia’s Nightingale?
Entrepreneur
What does it mean to be an Entrepreneur?
How is Nellie an Entrepreneur?
Do you know other Entrepreneurs? What do they do?
What is the difference between an Entrepreneur and a business person?
Activities
Imagine living in a time before computers, television, movies, radio, telephones, cars, planes. Describe how you would spend your afternoons, weekends and holidays without any of those gifts of the industrial age.
Watch a video of a famous opera. And listen to recordings of Nellie Melba.
Work out the different lengths of time it would take to travel to Europe from Australia; by plane travel today and by steam boat 120 years ago. Also research the different ports you would have to stop at along the way.
Write a business plan for a small new business venture. Think of the materials, staff, supplies, location costs and time you will need. Work out the costs and where the money will come from.
Choose an opera, then a scene from that opera and create an artistic backdrop for that scene.
Australia’s Nightingale is the story of the world renowned opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. It introduces young readers to her life; from her birth in Melbourne, the tragedy of her mother and sisters’ deaths, her passion for music, her determination to succeed as an opera singer, her triumphs and the tribulations of her journey; as a wife and mother, as an entrepreneur and astute business woman, as an icon and as a woman.
Author Inspiration
I am writing a series of books on Inspirational Australian Women.
I write them for numerous reasons.
I write them as a source of alternate, wonderful role models for today’s youth. Role models that inspire beyond the family, social and traditional media environments that saturate our youth’s lives.
I write them for my 3 boys, that will one day be men. In order to create a society of equality and respect, we must teach and guide both boys and girls, by providing them with appropriate female messaging. The values that we teach them today will form the basis of their future selves. So I write my books to introduce women who lived lives following their hearts and passions. Women who were determined to find expression of their true selves and would accept nothing less.
I write these books to inspire our youth to trust and believe in themselves.
Australia’s Nightingale is a story about perseverance, courage, determination, conquering your fears and overcoming your set-backs, accomplishing your dreams, defying the norms and it is also about beauty.
Educational Themes
The Changing Role of Women in Society
1. The Historical Role of Women
2. The Changing Role of Women during the 20th century
3. The Role of Women in Today’s Society
4. Women as Business Leaders
5. Women as Social Conscience
Inspirational Characteristics.
1. Ability to dream beyond convention
2. Perseverance
3. Courage
4. Self Respect
5. Resilience
6. Determination
7. Generosity
Discussion Topics
Marriage and Motherhood
What place did Marriage and Motherhood have in Nellie’s life?
What is your view on the roles of men and women in Marriage and Parenting today?
Courage
What is Courage?
When and how did Nellie show Courage?
Give examples of other types of Courage and Courageous people.
Resilience
What does it mean to have Resilience?
How did Nellie show Resilience?
Does a person need to experience hardship and tragedy in order to be Resilient?
Who has shown Resilience in your life? And how?
Generosity
Does Generosity always mean a willingness to give someone money?
What are other forms of Generosity? And how are you Generous?
How is Generosity shown in Australia’s Nightingale?
Entrepreneur
What does it mean to be an Entrepreneur?
How is Nellie an Entrepreneur?
Do you know other Entrepreneurs? What do they do?
What is the difference between an Entrepreneur and a business person?
Activities
Imagine living in a time before computers, television, movies, radio, telephones, cars, planes. Describe how you would spend your afternoons, weekends and holidays without any of those gifts of the industrial age.
Watch a video of a famous opera. And listen to recordings of Nellie Melba.
Work out the different lengths of time it would take to travel to Europe from Australia; by plane travel today and by steam boat 120 years ago. Also research the different ports you would have to stop at along the way.
Write a business plan for a small new business venture. Think of the materials, staff, supplies, location costs and time you will need. Work out the costs and where the money will come from.
Choose an opera, then a scene from that opera and create an artistic backdrop for that scene.
