Colleen McCullough’s “Water is Life” launched at UNSW

UNSW’s Michael Crouch Innovation Centre recently hosted an event to launch the new book, ‘Water is Life’, authored by the late Colleen McCullough.

‘Water is Life’, published by UNSW Press, explores a subject close to McCullough’s heart – the role of water in human history, and Australia’s urgent need to harness vastly more of its power.

Internationally renown for her sweeping romantic saga The Thorn Birds and Masters of Rome series, McCullough turned her attention to water before her death in 2015.

Water is Life is the illuminating, interwoven study of two quite remarkable stories

Professor Ian Jacobs, President and Vice-Chancellor, UNSW Australia

The book also traces the career of innovative Australian industrialist, Michael Crouch AO, who introduced 70 countries to instant boiling water and demonstrated how Australians can lead the world in the creation of new products and technology.

“Water is Life is the illuminating, interwoven study of two quite remarkable stories – the role of water in Australia’s progress, and how the innovation and determination of one man created a remarkable Australian enterprise,” said Professor Ian Jacobs, President and Vice-Chancellor, UNSW Australia, at the February launch.

“Colleen McCulloch surveys the core Australian dilemma – huge land mass, limited water supply – with a canny, unflinching eye, unfolding a great drama. And against this, we have the inspiring story of Michael Crouch, a man of extraordinary vision, but equally a champion of Australian innovation and a key benefactor to this university,” said Prof Jacobs.

The launch highlighted UNSW’s commitment to water research and solutions through its Global Water Institute.

Water is Life can be purchased online at New South Books.