Bill scraped the barnacles off Valiam's bottom, sanded and painted her with antifoul so she should slide through the water now. We've got Ashby boatbuilders to polish the hull and WOW! That chalky residue is gone and she looks lovely! Thanks guys!
Lawries boatyard in Kawana Waters is a great place to do any boat work. Reasonable prices, friendly people and clean facilities. I checked the Ladies and very clean! For Valiam (45ft/13.7m length) it's $100 a day. Kieran the manager said mention my name and you will receive 5% off!

Gosh 3 years resting on the dock but the log book says 5 years since Valiam’s bottom was antifouled. Must have been good paint because I expected to see a barrier reef under there!

Kieren the helpful and friendly boat yard manager at Lawries boatyard Kawana Waters lifted her out as he has done many times before. The rates are reasonable here too. But with her draft of 2.1m she needed to get here at high tide. Valiam was launched here in 1994 making her 26 years old!

Bill has been busy painting the bottom and tomorrow boatyard guys are giving her topsides a polish. Looking forward to seeing her look good.

Gosh 3 years resting on the dock but the log book says 5 years since Valiam’s bottom was antifouled. Must have been good paint because I expected to see a barrier reef under there!

Kieren the helpful and friendly boat yard manager at Lawries boatyard Kawana Waters lifted her out as he has done many times before. The rates are reasonable here too. But with her draft of 2.1m she needed to get here at high tide. Valiam was launched here in 1994 making her 26 years old!

Bill has been busy painting the bottom and tomorrow boatyard guys are giving her topsides a polish. Looking forward to seeing her look good.

I met Stacey and Ken through a Women Who Sail Australia Gathering a few years ago and I was honoured that they attended my book launch for Salvage in Sarong. Through reading Stacey’s book I have learned so much more than through a casual conversation. I truly loved this book. It gives me great pleasure to write a review :


‘NAKAA’S AWAKENING – Land of Matang’ is a fascinating read. Stacey King has captured
the essence of the life of the Banabans living and working with the ex patriot people on Ocean Island, Fiji. I was riveted all the way through and did not want the book to end. I’m so pleased there are sequels coming. I want to know what happens to all the characters as the story was made especially interesting as many are Stacey’s relatives. Well researched and passionately written obviously showing the authors sensitive and deep understanding of the life lived at the time.. I learned so much about the challenges of phosphate mining and the impact on the locals.Beautifully told and as a sailor myself, as well as having lived in a remote community in Papua New Guinea I could identify with the life. Stacey has indeed left an enduring legacy to the Banaban people.

This is a story that will appeal to everyone. It has it all. History, romance, drama, and an exotic location. Escapism at its best and made even more appealing in that it is based on a true story. I might just have to read it again while I wait for the sequel.

Linda Frylink Anderson