Kayla Willson

Give a gift with depth this Father’s Day. Discover curated Australian non-fiction, compelling memoirs, and groundbreaking ideas from Monash University Publishing.

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1. The Audiophile

For the dad whose record collection is his sanctuary, fascinated by the sounds, subcultures, and pop-culture moments that defined decades.

• Vinyl Dreams: How the 1970s Changed Music Forever by Tony Wellington. The ultimate deep dive into the decade of glam, punk, disco, and high-fidelity sound.
• Mixtapes and MTV: The Sound and Vision of the 1980s by Tony Wellington. A nostalgic journey through synth-pop, cassette culture, and the rise of the music video.
• Freak Out: How the 1960s Created Pop Culture by Tony Wellington. The origin story of modern music and the counterculture revolution.

2. The Historian

For the reader drawn to gripping legal battles, sporting sagas, frontier conflicts, and extraordinary true stories of human endurance.

• Justice in Kelly Country by Lachlan Strahan. The real story behind the Ned Kelly legend, told through the eyes of a frontier policeman.
• Against the Odds by William P. Gurry. A high-stakes account of grit, teamwork, and historical sporting triumphs.
• Asbestos Nation by James Watson. An investigative look into Australia’s industrial history and corporate accountability.
• A Naga Odyssey by Visier Meyasetsu Sanyü & Richard Broome. A deeply moving memoir of exile, identity, and the search for reconciliation.

3. The Strategist

For the dad captivated by statecraft, geopolitical shifts, political history, and big-picture global policy.

• The Curious Diplomat by Lachlan Strahan. A candid memoir inside foreign service, high-stakes diplomacy, and global affairs.
• Power, Prosperity & Planet by Thom Woodroofe. Essential reading on green geopolitics, climate policy, and future economies.
• A Long March by Kim Carr. The journey of a Labor factional heavyweight, from the rank and file to the cabinet room.

4. The Naturalist

For the bushwalker, ecology enthusiast, and reader inspired by the beauty and resilience of native Australian landscapes.

• What the Trees See by Dave Witty. Uncovering Australian history through the living witness of ancient native trees.
• On this Ground edited by Dave Witty. A collection of evocative Australian nature writing on country, place, and wild spaces.
• Brave New Wild by Richard King. A timely critique of technology and our urgent need to reconnect with nature.

5. The Thinker

For the leader, decision-maker, and curious mind seeking evidence-based insights into human behavior and organizational change.

• The Uncertainty Effect by Michelle Lazarus. How embracing ambiguity and the unknown unlocks adaptability and growth.
• Inspiring Change by Liam Smith et al. Practical behavioral science strategies to create real-world social impact.