Naomi’s World

Follow Harmony the Hen through the world
of children’s author

Naomi Lake

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Carers WA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country
throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection
to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them
and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.

Acknowledgements:

Carers WA      Department of Communities

ISBN: 978-1-922409-90-4 (eBook)
Published by Vivid Publishing
www.vividpublishing.com.au

© Carers Association of Western Australia Incorporated

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Contents

Introducing the author 4

This is me 5

Early memories 6

Fitting in at school 7

Inspiration to write 8

Dreams are important 10

Coming to life 11

My career, my community 13

Ideas are all around us 14

Achievements and the road ahead 15

Shine, shine, shine 18

Friends and community are important 19

Naomi, the actress and performer 20

My favourite things 21

Thank you 22

3

My name is Naomi. I am a children’s author and I live in Albany,
Western Australia.

I was asked by Carers WA to write a book about about my life.

I hope you all like it.

I am also an ambassador for Down Syndrome WA and I attend
meetings and workshops in Perth. I have had afternoon tea at
Parliament House with the Minister for Communities, Stephen
Dawson.

Being a role model for others and encouraging children to read
and write is a passion of mine because it has opened up the world
for me. I love learning and trying new things whenever I have the
opportunity. You just have to go out to explore the world because the
world won’t come to you.

At the gala dinner for
Down Syndrome WA

4

This is me

I haven’t always lived in Australia. I was born in England, the youngest
of four girls. As I was growing up my family found many ways to
ensure that I did not feel different or excluded and could join in
whatever activities I wanted.

My sisters always helped me to achieve my goals.

My family have told me that when I was 3 years old I started to spell
my name using foam letters that my sister Paula and I used to play
with in the bath. After that, Mum taught me to read and it opened up
the world for me.

Holding my first book

5

Early memories

For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed reading and writing
stories. My family have always encouraged and supported me,
although it sometimes drives mum mad because there’s paper
everywhere!! I write with pen and paper and then transfer it to the
computer or iPad afterwards. I never go anywhere without a book
and I read to my nieces and nephews, just like my sisters used to read
to me.

My three sisters Jayne,
Karen and Paula

6

Fitting in at school

When I was at school, especially high school, I had a hard time trying
to fit in, but I always found comfort in the library, reading.

My favourite subject was English and I knew I would become a
children’s author. I love reading because it transports me to another
world filled with magic. I can become part of the story and travel from
the real world to the make believe.

7

Inspiration to write

I lived on a farm when I was young, I loved watching the chickens
scratching around the farmyard and holding the baby chicks. It gave
me inspiration to write my stories about Harmony the Hen. Mum and
I sat on the patio one day watching the chickens and one of them
kept darting in and out of the bushes.
I said to Mum “I think she has lost something”
Mum said, “What would a chicken lose?”
and I said “Her eggs of course!”

After that, I started writing a story about Charlotte the hen. I took
photos and made a little booklet about her. Later on I decided to
re-name the hen Harmony and I expanded the story to include other
farmyard animals.

8

Holding a lamb on the
farm in Bridgetown

Following the sheep

9

Dreams are important

My sister Paula knew I dreamed of becoming a children’s author.
She asked mum for one of my stories and mum chose Harmony.
Paula gave it to her artist friend Dave to illustrate. Then she sent the
story and illustrations away to make it up into a book as a surprise
Christmas present for me. I was in shock, I stood there with my mouth
wide open, when she gave me the book.

Selling books with Paula

Feeding the chickens

10

Coming to life

I showed my family and friends my book. Dave’s illustrations had
brought my story to life. Everyone just loved it and wanted a copy
so I decided to publish it to the world. There is so much involved in
printing and publishing a book! Writing the story was the easy part.
Thanks to my darling sister Paula, my dream had come true.

Discussion with graphic artist

Signing final layout

11

Book signings

12

My career, my community

After leaving school I started work in a local café and was there for
ten years. I liked the interaction with the customers, especially the
regulars. I am studying fashion design and technology at TAFE, and
have made many gifts for my family and friends. Previously I have
completed certificates in hospitality, retail, photography and an
advanced course for iPad. I volunteer with meals on wheels where
I help in the kitchen putting together meals to be delivered to the
vulnerable members of our community.

Preparing for christmas at TAFE

Selling books at the
café where I worked
for 10 years

I made a blue and green
puff quilt

13

Ideas are all around us

People always ask me how I go about writing a story. I get ideas from
everywhere just by looking around me. The ideas start in my brain
but I write from the heart, then it travels down my arm and flows
out through my hand. I always have a notebook or pen and paper
with me and I write down anything that interests me. Writing is like
everything else, you have to practice all the time if you want to get
better at it. I write a journal every day and I write out recipes to try
because I really like cooking and trying new dishes.

I have now written two children’s storybooks titled ‘Harmony the
Forgetful Hen and the Lost Eggs’ and ‘Harmony the Forgetful Hen
and the Fox’.

Holding two published books

Reading my book to one of my fans

14

Achievements and the road ahead

Following the publication of my first book I received a ‘Tomorrow
Maker’s Award’ from AMP which allowed me to travel throughout
the North Eastern Goldfields, the Gascoyne and Murchison Districts
to visit small schools and remote communities. It was an awesome
trip, we covered over 4000kms. I read to the children and completed
activities with them in class. After reading, I had a question and
answer session and sat down talking to the children who didn’t want
me to leave. I love being a role model for them and encouraging
them to read lots of books. I am looking forward to another road trip,
perhaps to the Pilbara or Kimberley. Teachers have used my book
as “book of the week” and some have used it for a whole term for all
sorts of literacy lessons and learning experiences. How cool is that!

Pictures of my book tour, visiting
remote schools

15

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I won AMP Tomorrow Makers award

17

Shine, shine, shine

I love performing and acting and have participated in four
productions called ‘Let’s Shine Again’, ‘Let’s Shine Forever, ‘Let’s Shine
Together’ and ‘Let’s Shine Brightly’. These shows were organised by
the Light Opera Company in Albany (ALOTCo) Western Australia, to
showcase the talents of people with disabilities. I danced and sang
the night away and that’s how I got my nickname “Dancing Queen”!
People of all abilities are included. For example, you can choose any
type of act that you would like to do and they help you to put it all
together throughout rehearsals.

Back stage at
port theatre
performances

Performing and
singing on stage

18

Friends and community

We have a lot of fun, the shows are very professional and the
audience just love them. We frequently get standing ovations and
that means ‘good job everybody’, well done! Thanks to the directors,
light and sound engineers, stage managers, costume ladies and front
of house people who are all volunteer members of ALOTCo who give
up their time to do these shows. We are very lucky to have them.

Group performance on stage and the finale

19

Naomi, the actress and performer

Along with these four productions, I have been an extra in a couple of
tv series and a movie and have acted and performed in other shows
organised through local drama groups.

Public speaking is something else I enjoy and I have written and
delivered speeches at many events. These include the Butterfly Ball,
Gala Dinner and workshops with teachers and education assistants.

Butterfly Ball and book launch speeches

Backstage waiting to go on

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My favourite things

My favourite thing to do is look after my chickens. I give them food
and fresh water everyday and clean out their run. Mum uses the
manure in the garden. I sit and have a chat with them but sometimes
the conversation is a bit one sided! They follow me around the yard
and let me know when they have laid an egg. The best part is I get
lovely fresh eggs for my breakfast!

I go to the gym and swim three or four times a week. I would like to
become an actress and have my own home one day.

Sitting with my chickens,
holding a fresh egg

21

Thank you

Thank you to my darling sisters, Jayne, Karen and Paula who gave
me stacks of books and read endless stories. I can’t forget my dad
who sang me lots of songs and nursery rhymes even though he often
forgot the words!! Most of all I have to thank my wonderful, beautiful
mother, who has always believed in me. My family really is amazing!

With my support crew,
My sisters Jayne, Karen and Paula

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“You just have to go out to explore the world

because the world won’t come to you”

Naomi Lake

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