Christian the Lion…

{ August 4, 2009 @ 4:34 am } · { Books, Global, love, Love and Honour, People, Special Event, Uncategorized, World News }
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My Scrapbook is released in Australia on the 31st July 2009…(Hey that’s my birthday…)

Anthony “Ace” Bourke and John Rendall are both thrilled to announce the release of their Christian the Lion… My Scrapbook in Australia.

My Scrapbook

My Scrapbook

It is ideal for children,  as the glossy 26 page scrapbook features many never before seen photographs as well as their favourite images of Christian, which accompanies the retelling of their amazing story in Christian’s words.

Christian the Lion: My Scrapbook will be available to purchase from good book stores across Australia as of the 1st August 2009…

Once again… Well done gentlemen.

On the Quest to Meet Ace and John…

Forever Bellas Grace

A Lion Called Christian…update

{ August 4, 2009 @ 4:01 am } · { Books, Global, love, Love and Honour, People, Special Event, World News }
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A Lion Called Christian to be published on over fifteen new territories 24-Jul-2009

A Lion Called Christian

A Lion Called Christian

Ace Bourke and John Rendall’s book A Lion Called Christian is on track to become a global success with the book confirmed to be published in over fifteen territories worldwide.

The publications will roll out over the next twelve months commencing on 30 July 2009 in Brazil followed by Italy, Norway, Spain and the mainland Chinese edition to be published by Christmas 2009.

The book has already been a success in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, the United Kingdom and, continues to appear on the Best Seller’s lists in these territories around the world.

Once again… Well done genltemen.

Forever BellasGrace

Anthony “Ace” Bourke…

{ August 4, 2009 @ 3:38 am } · { Books, Global, People, Special Event }
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Congratulations

Congratulations

Congratulations to Anthony “Ace” Bourke, whom on the 23rd of July 2009 graduated with a Masters of Arts from the University of Wollongong this last week. Ace Bourke is also the co author of A Lion Called Christian with fellow Australian John Rendall.

His MA(R), titled Family Footprints: Tracing the Past in the Present through Curatorial Autobiographical Practice. Ace examined a new form of “autobiographical” curatorship, that evolved from three major museum exhibitions. He has worked through every staged over the last few years which has synthesised, to various degrees. Australian foundational narratives, an Aboriginal perspective, and Ace’s own family colonial history, which includes Governors Bourke and King.

Once again well done Ace.

Forever Bellas Grace

A Lion Called Christian…a tour in pictures…

{ August 4, 2009 @ 3:10 am } · { Books, Global, love, Love and Honour, People, Special Event, World News }
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Ace Bourke and John Rendall share with us the photographs from their publicity tour for A Lion Called Christian.

The tour saw them appear on programs including Oprah, The View, and Entertainment Tonight in the US, This Morning with Richard and Judy and take part in numerous interviews for BBC Radio in the UK, Today Tonight and Sunrise in Australia and CCTV’s “Us” in China.

To view Tour Photographs, click here.

Welcome back gentlemen.

Forever BellasGrace

Ace and John’s Recent visit to China…

{ June 27, 2009 @ 12:41 pm } · { Books, Global, love, People, Special Event, World News }
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Ace Bourke and John Rendall recently visited China where they both were interviewed on Beijing’s  CCTV’s weekly program called “Us” by host and executive producer Wang Lifen.

John and Ace

Wang Lifen’s  weekly television program “Us” can be seen in every house or village throughout China. A viewing audience of 1.3billion people  may have watched the story A Lion Called Christian. Amazing to think that many people watched.

The interviewer, herself is  very dynamic person who had thoroughly researched the  book , Ace Bourke and John Rendall co wrote “A Lion Called Christian”, and The George Adamson’s Preservation Conservation Trust.  Wang  built a informative  program around the gentlemen with a diverse and informed audience all interested or actively involved in wildlife conservation.

Love Bond

The issues  discussed frankly with experts were either in the studio or by video link to the World Wildlife Organisation in Switzerland.

In the studio audience were local academics; Zhu Chunquan the Head of Conservation Operations for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature Beijing Office, The World Wildlife Fund Supporters, and the people working in the field of saving the Pandas.

Ace and John were very pleased to learn that unlike the global trend for most animals, the panda population is not decreasing. They were asked many interesting questions and were well served by efficient interpreters.

They found the experience worth whiled and were pleasantly surprised to realise that there is a degree of awareness and sense of responsibility for wildlife and environmental challenges. The program will be aired in China in October when A Lion Called Christian is published.

John in awe of Christian

Ace and John also had time to visit the Forbidden City which they found to be overwhelmingly beautiful and of course they admired the two stylised bronze lions which flanked the entrance to the Emperor’s pavilion. The number of lion statues in Beijing reminded them of the awe in which Chinese people hold lions (the lion dance features in many Chinese celebrations) and perhaps explained the interest in Christian’s story. The gentlemen also visited The Great Wall of China on the misty mountain ranged and a landscape familiar to many Chinese paintings.

On the Quest to meet Ace and John….

Forever BellasGrace

Ace Bourke and John Rendall Updates…

{ June 10, 2009 @ 11:54 am } · { Global, People, Special Event, Uncategorized, World News }
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Ace Bourke and John Rendall’s   appearance

on Oprah’s show is to Air in the UK.

Ace Bourke and John Rendall’s appearance on Oprah is to air in the UK on the 10th June 2009.

Ace Bourke and John Rendall’s  interview with Oprah, which has been viewed by millions of people across America and Australia, will be seen in the UK on Friday the 17th July and Sunday the 19th  July on Diva TV.

In their interview, which was a rare and wonderful opportunity, Ace and John talk with Oprah and the Friday Live Panel about their experiences with Christian the Lion and his release into Africa.

The interview is where Ace and John first shared the footage of their final farewell with Christian in 1972.

Ace Bourke and John Rendall are currently overseas promoting a Lion Called Christian to audiences in China and India.

Well done, gentlemen!

Forever BellasGrace

The Journey

{ June 7, 2009 @ 10:22 am } · { Books, Global, love, People, World News }
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Looking back over the last three months I can say without a doubt, Embracing A Lion Called Christian has been an experience I will never forget. I feel it  needs to be shared with the world.

Christian The Lion

Christian The Lion

When I began this journey on the quest to meet Ace Bourke and John Rendall, I did not know embracing  Christian the Lion would  have such an impact on my day to day life.

Ace Bourke described what took place over forty years ago in Kenya, a “Euphoric Moment” . For me the euphoric moment was when I saw for the first time in April this year the famous “Reunion” clip from You Tube. It was the most beautiful event I had ever seen. I am not comparing it to the birth of my two sons. However, I am comparing it to a once in a life time moment that can never truly be repeated in our own existence.

Harrod's Lion

Harrod's Lion

Watching it on You Tube made me aware of this amazing footage but nothing could prepare me in seeing it on my television.  Watching the reunion of  Christian in Kenya, and seeing that glorious moment, with the background music of Whitney Houston, ” I Will Always Love You”, brought me to tears. This pure unconditional love enveloped me and captivated me to see a powerful bond between man and beast.

Since then I have spoken to many people who have heard the story of Christian and I have spoken to many people who have not yet seen this rare footage. Mentioning Christian the Lion to  people, I  asked them what they  thought when they saw the clip. Each  answer was pretty much the same; ” It is magical, beautiful, unbelievable, amazing, wonderful, and my favourite, “God works in mysterious ways”.  However, when I asked people “How did it make you feel?”  The response would be;  “it made me feel happy, it made me feel there is love in this world, regardless whether it is  animal or human being.  The consensus was, “it was an amazing event”.

I realised then what I must do. I wanted to meet Ace and John and say thank you for giving me a euphoric moment of my own. So I began this quest and started to create a series of different Internet sites which would be dedicated in my quest to meet them.

Ace and John

Ace and John

In the next post I will share with you the steps I have travelled so far in the quest to meet these two amazing Australian men.

On The Quest To Meet Ace and John…

Forever Bellas Grace

Ace Bourke and John Rendall take A Lion Called Christian to China

{ May 27, 2009 @ 11:29 am } · { Books, Global, People, World News }
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Ace Bourke and John Rendall are preparing to travel to Beijing to appear on CCTV’s weekly program ‘Us’ which will air on Channel One. CCTV Channel One is China’s main current affairs channel and a ratings leader.


Ace and John are looking forward to sharing the story of their time with Christian and his return to the wild in Africa with their Chinese fans.

Ace and John

Ace and John

Forever Bellas Grace

A Lion Called Christian – The Reunion

{ May 25, 2009 @ 4:45 am } · { People, World News }
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A Lion Called Christian – 2nd Reunion

{ May 25, 2009 @ 2:41 am } · { Love and Honour, People }
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