Special Glenelg Libraries Author Event – Presented in Partnership with the Portland Maritime Museum - Dr Helen Edwards, A Light on the Rocks
Join Glenelg Libraries and the Portland Maritime Museum for a very special event with Dr Helen Edwards an award-winning author, speaker, and passionate advocate for nature and children’s wellbeing. Helen will discuss her newest magical historical novel for young adults titled A Light on the Rocks inspired by the story of the SS Admella alongside the Portland Lifeboat whose crew braved the wild seas in an incredible rescue mission.
In 1859, fourteen-year-old Daisy survives the wreck of the SS Admella on a reef near Cape Banks. A century later, siblings Max and Rose spend summer at the remote Cape Jaffa Lighthouse, where their father is head keeper. While exploring the reef, they encounter a ghostly horse from the Admella—and uncover secrets linking past and present.
Set across two timelines, A Light on the Rocks is a haunting tale of survival, self-belief, and the wild beauty of the sea. Blending real events with mystery and magic—including a ghost horse and a singing whale—it brings the forgotten history of the SS Admella and the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse vividly to life.
In this special event, Helen will share her personal journey, explore her writing process, and discuss her research approach for her historical based novels, including researching records and items in the Glenelg Shire Cultural Collection for her current novel.
Helen is a mid-career SA State Library Fellow (2025), supported by Writers SA, with A Light on the Rocks the focus of her fellowship. The project is also supported by a South Australian History Trust grant.
Her recent books have received national recognition. The Rebels of Mount Buffalo (2024) was longlisted for the DANZ Awards and shortlisted for Speech Pathology Book of the Year. Legend of the Lighthouse Moon won Category 2 of the Forevability Awards in March 2025, On Gallant Wings (April 2025) was longlisted for the ARA Historical Novel Prize, and The Disappearing Circus, co-written with Kate Gordon, was published in July 2025.
Portland Maritime Discovery Centre
Tuesday 17 February 2025
6.30pm – 7.30pm
FREE event, light refreshments provided
Portland Maritime Discovery Centre, 98 Lee Breakwater, Portland Maritime Discovery Centre, Portland, 3305, View Map