Albany author Alana McLean debuts new children’s book “My Community Teaches Me”, featuring local legends

A children’s book spotlighting icons of the Great Southern and the importance of community connection is being launched this weekend with the author pledging half the sales to a vital community group. Albany author Alana McLean will officially release her first book My Community Teaches Me: It’s the Perfect Recipe on Saturday at the Elleker Tavern. Featuring the images of quintessential Albany characters like Menang-Noongar elder Lester Coyne, football star Jeremy McGovern and late entrepreneur Paul Lionetti, each page focuses on the individual lessons that “Uncle” or “Aunty” can teach the reader. McLean said she intended to create a tribute to the individuals who quietly educate and positively impact others in the community. “(I ask) are you fortunate enough to know those kinds of people who like to help others grow?” she said. “I hope people can recognise the power in community and recognise that something they may do every day may be having a profound impact on others just through their positive intent.” “Encouraging others to live in lighthouses as opposed to silos. “Reaching out to neighbours, checking in on people — all these acts of kindness help to make a connected and thriving community.” Having conjured up the book’s premise during the COVID-19 pandemic, McLean noted its creation took “a lot longer than it needed to be” due to her nerves in approaching the influential figures and gleaning permission from families of those who had since died. As well as specific people, the book recognises a broader spectrum of positive influences, including foster mums, family pets and the landscape of WA. McLean said though it is classed as a children’s book, she hopes everyone can get something out of it. “My intended audience is anyone and everyone,” she said. “That may sound strange to say that, with what is a children’s book however, I really wanted to create that intergenerational connection, where a grandma or pop could be reading the book to a child and recognise how valued they are as an elder sharing their wisdom too.” Half of the profits for each book sale will be donated to the Albany Community Hospice. The book is available for purchase online at My Community Book - Big Cartel. McLean’s book launch is at 3pm at Elleker Tavern.