Spillover - Hendra Virus

2011-08-31T09:05:00.001+10:00

Special cost price for Spillover: A memoir including post in Australia $15.00

The loss of a Horse

2010-07-01T18:29:00.000+10:00

An Equestrienne's Essence by Carol Raymen

I call his name
His head, it raises to see me

I enter his domain
His voice, it raises to greet me

I climb atop by his grace
His spirit, it rushes to join me

I ask of him yet more
His determination, it raises to please me

I yell and hit because of others
His fear and hurt, it breaks me

I sob on his powerful shoulder
His patience and strength, they calm me

I run to heal his wounds
His stillness shows he trusts me

I stroke his velvety cheek and cry
His eyes they close to leave me

I sit now alone and grieve
His soul has forever changed me

Spillover : A Memoir

2010-05-15T13:59:00.003+10:00

My book is still available and is still the only published book about the impact of the hendra virus on an ordinary family. It contains facts, that remain current and provides background to the virus. An emotional and essential read for anyone concerned about their horses, themselves and the hendra virus. Buy direct from this site or go to www.spillover.com.au for more information.

Hendra Virus Vaccine

2010-05-15T13:53:00.002+10:00

The Qld Horse Council has launched a fund to raise money for the development of a vaccine against hendra virus in horses. Government sources will not, at this stage fund this vital research which will potentially save the lives of horses but also the owners,carers, handlers and vets who deal with them. Go to www. qldhorsecouncil.com to donate and find out more.

Hendra Virus Info

2009-09-28T15:35:00.002+10:00

I will be speaking at the Hendra Virus Information Seminar conducted by Qld Horse Council on Wed 28 Oct from 7.00pm at Cleveland Assemby Hall, 44 Smith St Cleveland. More info at www.qldhorsecouncil.com.au

Henrda Virus Book - Spillover: A Memoir

2009-09-28T15:33:00.001+10:00

Spillover:A Memoir now available at Dymocks Bookstore Toowoomba.

Hendra Virus Info

2009-09-13T14:02:00.003+10:00

I have just read the latest information issued about hendra virus and I am not happy. While it is a good summary, it continues to label the virus as rare and sporadic. I had thought the authorities had agreed with me after meetings with them in jan and Feb this year, that they woulf not continue to use those terms, as I pointed out it leads to complacency that I believed led to the death of two vets from the virus. While ever that attitude is taken, the community will be under a false impression about the virus and will fail to take adequate precautions. read my book Spillover:A Memoir to truly understand what this virus is all about.

Available from

2009-06-21T16:27:00.001+10:00

Spillover:A memoir also now available from president@qldhorsecouncil.com

Ebook

2009-06-21T16:19:00.001+10:00

Spillover: A Memoir now available in PDF ebook version. Go to Buy now link below.

Buy Offer

2009-05-27T21:31:00.002+10:00

Spillover:A Memoir now available at $23.95 including post to Aus when you buy direct from me and mention this blog.
Contact me spillover@bigpond.com.au

My Website

2009-05-27T21:23:00.001+10:00

Coming soon in e-book format:
Spillover:A Memoir
www.spillover.com.au

2009-05-23T13:53:00.001+10:00

For an update on the Hendra virus battle check out the last thread in the Dressage It forums here http://dressageit.com/bb/showthread.php?t=4838

Buy List

2009-05-23T13:51:00.001+10:00

Spillover: A Memoir is available direct from me and also from:
www.seekbooks.com.au
www.equitainment.com.au
www.nobitbridles.com

Hendra Virus Info

2009-05-17T14:14:00.000+10:00

Check this link for Hendra virus information http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2500895.htm

2008-12-30T17:34:00.000+10:00

Reviews of Spillover: A Memoir

Greg Cary 4BC Mornings 9-12, Channel 7 Sunrise Thursdays at 7.50 pm
“I think you have done an outstanding job in articulating the events and the emotions of such a terrible experience. I love horses and have great empathy for what you went through.”

The Editor, Horses & People Magazine.
“With the Hendra virus still a raw reality for horse owners in south east (and northern) Queensland and a thing to be feared by anyone owning horses and living near bats, this book is a must read for anyone who wants to follow one women’s experience of losing her horse to the virus, learning the hard way about the disease and enduring the effects it has had on her life and that of her family.
Jennifer Crane writes in an easy to read and down to earth style which most horse owners will immediately identify with. They will also identify strongly with her love for her horses and her very real concerns for other horses and people who might yet be affected by the Hendra virus in the future.
While Jennifer, a widow, and her children grieved for their horse Clive and the terrible way that he died, they were then faced with the very real fear they may have contracted the disease themselves.
Following the death of Clive were bureaucratic processes and procedures to be coped with and understood, struggling with government thinking and practices, quarantine, biosecurity and other upheavals.
And then, the bats. Anyone like Jennifer, who lives on a property with bats and has horses should consider this book.”

'Independent review of Hendra virus cases at Redlands and Proserpine in July and August 2008' prepared by Dr Nigel Perkins of Ausvet for the Director-General DPI&F tabled in Qld Parliament on 4 Dec 08.
"The value of positive role models who can present real-world and personalised accounts of their experiences is considered to be very worthwhile. The account by the owner of the 2006 Hendra virus case at Peachester (Crane 2008)(Spillover: A Memoir) is an informative read that effectively communicates the uncertainties and the challenges faced by individuals affected by Hendra."

Quotes from readers:

“You don’t have to be a horsey person to be touched by the sadness of your book.”

“I can’t express the emotions I felt as I read your words, I couldn’t put it down and I finished it overnight. It was heart wrenching reading.”

“Your book is a must read for all horse owners and I will be telling everyone I know about it.”

“I received the book quickly and read it in a day or two - I couldn't put it down. I shed so many tears - for you and your beautiful horses…and for those caught up in this recent Hendra virus debacle. Thank you for sharing this story - it is a lesson to all of us - not just on the dangers of Hendra virus but really for any time when we are dealing with unknown illnesses.”

Spillover:A Memoir -Hendra Virus

2008-07-09T13:42:00.001+10:00

On 14 June 2006, Clive, a thoroughbred gelding, died an agonizing death.

It was a death that would mark the beginning of an emotional nightmare for his owner, Jennifer Crane and her family. A death that would receive national media coverage as only the sixth recorded case in Australia and would result in an independent Queensland Parliamentary Review.

Unknown to Jennifer, the large colony of flying foxes, camped in the neighbouring forest and spilling over onto her property in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, had brought with it the deadly Hendra virus that infected her horse and put her own life at risk.

Jennifer’s account of the death of her horse due to the Hendra virus portrays the pain of losing a beloved member of the family, her encounter with Queensland’s biosecurity procedures and a decision to try to increase the awareness of the fatal consequences when the balance of nature is tipped.

The book is available from spillover@bigpond.com (AUD $25.95 plus postage)

Writing Success

2008-07-06T15:02:00.000+10:00

Recently I was 'Commended' for a poem titled "A Writer's Words" in the 2008 Cancer Council of Victoria Arts Awards. The poetry section received 125 entries from across Australia and Jennifer Harrison gave one 'Outstanding' award, three 'Highly Commended' and three 'Commended' awards. I was very honoured and excited to receive the award although I was unable to attend the official ceremony and display of works which was held in Melbourne. The theme of all entered works was cancer and I have included the poem here.

A Writer’s Words

I watched a writer passing
a friend, a mentor
and as her body waned
she gave her verse into my hands
composed with a depth of grace and wisdom
I could never emulate.
I held the pages
typed neat, addressed, stamped and correct
ready to be released into the world
for those who could, to appreciate.
I knew those words
the truth, the strength, the humour
and I looked into her eyes to ask,
But what about the rest?
The words you wrote too powerful
that no one would accept,
the words that shocked and moved us,
the words created with the knowledge
you attempted to impress.
For when she spoke her verse, she glowed
her pain, her suffering forgotten
and we listened with anticipated awe
until the last full stop was spoken.
Though not a well-known writer, she was a writer
who shared her greatest passion
from the day when we first met.
She inspired her many students
with the pleasure of words
of prose and verse they never will forget.
I asked again
What happens, when you’re gone
to those words you keep beside you,
to the verse you have allowed so few of us to read?
She paused in thought, then answered,
Those words are not mine, they are borrowed
and they do not die with me
but return to the world to be reused
to tell another life, to fulfil another need.
I knew the time she passed
although I was not there
for I stopped and heard her words
released
to scatter, once more, into the air.

by Jennifer Crane