First a poem and then a children’s story was born out of the small news item on the bottom of page five in the Dungog Chronicle in May 2015 about a little Angus calf that had beaten the odds.

With a rough start to life the calf was enjoying its third happy ending when it was washed eight kilometres from its home in Stroud in the 2015 storm. His amazing return home to his owners prompted a “good news” story following the devastation the storm wreaked on the shire.

Dianne, who lives in Dungog, said the idea of writing more about Hardy kept nagging her.

“It was like a little hoof tapping me on the shoulder,” she laughed.

“I thought this deserves to be published, this story of the little calf.”

After first drafting a poem she was advised by an editor to then put it into book form. She then  went on the search for images to accompany her words about Hardy (so named because he had proved to be very hardy indeed.)

Fortunately fate would have Phillippa Augl appearing in the right place at the right time.

Di had put her book at the front of Dungog library seeking an illustrator but no one had come forward. On the day before she was to take it back home, Phillippa came to the library to use the internet following a fire at her Salisbury Lodges.

“It was only because of the fire I found myself in the library and (librarian) Amanda Field showed it to me,’”said Phillippa.

“I needed something in my life at the time other than the fire.

“I went home and I immediately came up with the cover.”

And so a partnership which has clearly developed into a strong friendship between the two creative women developed. So much so they laugh about their next project with plenty of ideas up their collective sleeves.

The process to get Hardy into print was long and involved. After 50 or so publishers either rejected or ignored their idea they decided to go into partnership with an Adelaide publisher.

For Phillippa who hand painted each drawing in the book, it was a challenge to learn a new skill. She had to move from her traditional brush to use a computer program to develop the art suitable for publishing.

Along with lots of native animals in the book Phillippa’s border collie Abba makes an appearance on several pages.

“It’s been a good partnership and we have a good product,” said Di.

The pair will be at the Dungog Library on Thursday, August 16 from 10am for storytime.

The following week the community is invited to come along to Festival Lounge on  Thursday August 23 at 6 pm for the launch of the book and to meet the author and illustrator.

Here’s the full text of the original 2015 article written by the Dungog Chronicle’s then Managing Editor, Janelle O’Neill.

A good news story from the recent floods was sent to the Chronicle by a Monkerai resident.

A male angus calf born and abandoned by its mum was found at eight days old starving and covered in ticks.

It was adopted by a neighbouring farmer, who with many hours of patience, tender loving care, calf milk, pellets and numerous pats, the calf thrived and was named Hardy because of his determination to live.

He gained a second chance in life.

At 12 months of age he was ready for market but no, he was sold as a pet and lawnmower to friends at Stroud. He continued to enjoy his daily feed, grooming and following them around the paddock. Hardy had his third chance in life.

Then disaster hit – Hardy was washed away in the recent floods at Stroud. With many hours of driving, searching and phone calls from his devoted owners – you guessed it, Hardy was found munching away in a paddock an eight kilometre road trip from his home.

After hitching up the horse float, Hardy was collected and returned to his home.

Hardy now has a fourth chance at life and hopefully he will have no more adventures.

Editor’s note:A good news story to come out of last month’s devastation.