By Parker McKenzie
An award winning sound-designer has published a semi-biographical debut children’s novel, inspired by his life growing up in the Dandenong Ranges.
Gareth Vanderhope authored and illustrated The Hills Kids, a novel for children aged eight to twelve, drawing from his early experiences in Kallista in the 1970s and 80s.
After winning two BAFTA awards for his sound-design work on the films Shine and Moulin Rouge, Mr Vanderhope left the film industry and worked as a practicing dietitian.
Mr Vanderhope said the book was an opportunity to continue the creativity and storytelling he learned working in film.
“My way of bridging or finding a way of connecting that all was to write a novel. It enabled me to think about creating a story that was like a kids imagination becoming a film,” he said.
“In their mind they can create sounds and they can be the cinematographer, but going beyond that with what the child’s imagination dispels and the feelings evoked through the story.”
The mystery and adventure book – the first in a planned series – was launched at an event in Monbulk in December, 2021.
Mr Vanderhope said his own experiences underpin his writing because “life is stranger than fiction.”
“Some of the crazy things that happened back in the 1970s and 80s, I just couldn’t have dreamed up,” he said.
“I’ve had these stories rattling around my mind for many years, so when it came to writing it down it was like I’ve got to tell these stories, because it’s a snapshot in Australian history and on a micro level it’s a snapshot of history specific to the Dandenong Ranges.”
According to Mr Vanderhope, the book launch was attended by people who inspired the character and stories within his book, although “they’re obviously a lot older.”
“They were there at the launch and it was such a beautiful coming together,” he said.
“The launch was about bringing together these people and characters from my past to create a wonderful, inspirational and creative environment for kids to flourish, for them to come together with the new community in the Dandenongs.”
The “hilarious novel filled with mystery, kooky characters, and nature’s wonderments” focuses on three children and a dog “as they embark on an adventure in their foresty neighbourhood.”
Mr Vanderhope said the Dandenong Ranges has a special place in his heart.
“It’s a place where you’ve got people like CJ Dennis and Tom Roberts and many artists, over many generations have been drawn to what seems to be a very powerful creative force in the Dandenong Ranges,” he said.
“It’s the intersection between nature, creativity and the challenges of living in an environment that can be bountiful, but also can be brutal and harsh.”
The Hills Kids is available at the Belgrave Book barn and online at www.garethvanderhope.com.
