Seventeen community members gathered at Kempsey Library yesterday for a moving Author Talk with Maura Luxford, who shared stories from her latest memoir, ride4acure – One White Post at a Time.
The memoir chronicles Maura’s remarkable cross-country journeys by bicycle, packhorse and truck, undertaken to honour her daughter Hannah’s wish for people to take better care of their skin and to raise funds for melanoma research.
Throughout the talk, Maura captivated the audience with a blend of humour, courage and heartfelt reflection. Attendees heard amusing stories, including the time a dog was smuggled into a cancer centre in a handbag, alongside deeply touching memories of Hannah’s final days. One particularly poignant story recounted how Hannah was wheeled from hospital to Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens so she could say goodbye to her beloved horse, Lena.
Maura also shared some of the challenges she faced during her travels, including a terrifying near-miss while cycling across the Mooney Mooney Bridge.
The event was warmly received by those in attendance, who expressed their appreciation for Maura’s honesty, resilience and powerful storytelling. Many attendees shared positive feedback following the session, reflecting on the lasting impact of Hannah’s story and the importance of raising awareness about melanoma.
Kempsey Library thanks Maura for sharing her incredible journey and the inspiring message behind ride4acure – One White Post at a Time. Congratulations to Liz who won the lucky door prize of a copy of Maura’s inspiring memoir.
