Typical Coaster

Written with the aim of being intentionally light-hearted and entertaining, Typical Coaster is a story about one boy’s aspirations, accomplishments, disasters, and emerging maturity. Uniquely New Zealand in character, the narrative centres on sibling dynamics, dramas, the often comical side of family life and the author’s developing awareness of changes within his world.

Woven into the latter part of this saga, is a peek into Buller’s past. Interrelationships with—and the rise and fall of—the Westport Abattoir are explored. This is where Phil enters the world of the working man. Learn what motivates the man within the boy and the free spirit that has the power to draw him away from his beloved West Coast.

Chapters in this book are beautifully illustrated. Each depicts an aspect of iconic West Coast culture.

Typical Coaster is dedicated to my grandfather, Pat Keoghan. Grandad endured Alzheimers later in life. The effects of the disease were profound for Grandad and to a lesser extent, the whole family. Dementia creates considerable emotional, physical and financial strain—especially for primary carers of those afflicted. My mother Peggy and nana, Coral, stoically nursed Pat. The last few months were especially tough for Coral who, getting on in years herself and feeling the strain, required respite care towards the end. There wasn't a dementia support group operating in Westport then. Peggy helped establish one after her own family's experience.

Dementia carers and volunteers are, in my opinion, New Zealand’s true unsung heroes providing medical assistance, resources, and essential respite for carers. The value of dementia support groups played in my mind while writing the book.

After writing the first draft of Typical Coaster, I met, for the first time, with Dementia Canterbury’s Manager, Darral Campbell. This was with a view of offering the proposed book as a fundraising project. Darral and colleagues reviewed the manuscript and gratefully snapped up the offer. Dementia Canterbury has an extensive outreach taking in all of Canterbury, Kaikoura, Ashburton and the West Coast. Sadly, like so many worthy charities, the organisation struggles for funding.

To help meet the book’s production costs, I approached my employer, Delta Utility Services Ltd who contributed generously to help finance the project.

Typical Coaster raised awareness of Alzheimers in our communities and  all sales proceeds of $7,500 were donated to Dementia Canterbury/West Coast.