Her book, called The Lucky Galah, is a magnificent novel about fate, Australia and what it means to be human and it just happens to be narrated by a galah called Lucky.

Set in the tiny remote coastal town of Carnarvon in Western Australia where Ms Sorensen grew up, the novel draws inspiration from real-life events.

Parade recently spoke to the author about her book and is looking forward to the upcoming author talk at 2.30pm at the Oxford Hotel on Saturday, March 10.

If you’re keen to read the book before the talk, it will be released on February 27 with pre-orders now available through Books Plus.

Tickets to the author talk are $15 and bookings are essential by calling Books Plus on 6331 5994.

STARTING university or TAFE for the first time can be tough, but Parade has heard that applications are open for the Gallipoli Scholarship.

The scholarship commemorates the legacy of Australian servicemen and servicewomen who served in World War I or World War II.

The scholarship seeks to perpetuate among young Australians an understanding of the enduring traditions of perseverance, courage, self-sacrifice and mateship that were established so indelibly in the cause of world peace at Gallipoli and on other battlefields in the First and Second World Wars.

Applications are only available for the first year of tertiary study at a university or TAFE at degree, diploma or advanced diploma level.

In assessing suitability for an award, a 60 per cent weighting applies to necessitous circumstances and a 40 per cent weighting to educational merit.

Applicants must be able to verify family lineage to an Australian who served for Australia in either World War I or World War II. They must be a direct descendant.

Each scholarship is worth $5000 tax free.

For more information, visit the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund online.