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Archive Annual Challenges > Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia

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message 251: by Deb (new)

Deb Omnivorous Reader | 1929 comments Finished my third for Victoria with The Shifting Landscape by Katherine Kovacic

A great book! So glad I came across this author. Problem is, now I want more of the same instead of moving on to another state....

review; https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 252: by Deb (new)

Deb Omnivorous Reader | 1929 comments Phew! I managed to find another WA book!
The Spill by Imbi Neeme by Imbi Neeme

Is a very impressive novel and a penguin award winner of some kind. I thought the characterisation and the richness of the descriptive storytelling were great, I loved it's Perth setting.

I did not love the narration or the ending so much, but it was a really good novel in general.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 254: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
Welcome Jasmine, you're linked.


message 255: by Em__Jay (new)

Em__Jay | 500 comments This week I finished 2 books that were both set in NSW. I gave them both 4 stars.

Elsewhere Girls by Emily Gale & Nova Weetman - it's aimed for young readers (10+) but it's a charming book about 2 girls who time travel and swap lives. One lives in contemporary times, the other is Fanny Durack - the famous Australian swimmer.

The Question of Love by Hugh Mackay - I have no idea why I reserved this at the library. It's not like I needed any more books set in NSW, but I am glad I did. It was a really interesting look at the vagaries of marriage.


message 256: by Em__Jay (new)

Em__Jay | 500 comments I finished The Attack by Catherine Jinks and rate it 4.5 stars.

I used it for a book set in QLD but a significant portion is set in NSW, so it's suitable for both states.

The Attack by Catherine Jinks


message 257: by Deb (new)

Deb Omnivorous Reader | 1929 comments I have a very uneven distribution of books - I just finished another TWO for Victoria: I could not resist reading more about Molly Dean so A Scandal in Bohemia by Gideon Haigh was utterly inevitable. I blame the exciting book The Portrait of Molly Dean so, really, the long list for Victoria is the fault of Katherine Kovacic for being such a good word smith.


Ash Mountain Was kind of an accident, I have no idea why, in hindsight, but I was sure it was set in the ACT when I picked it up.

This is a fun challenge, for all my complaints ;)


message 258: by Deb (new)

Deb Omnivorous Reader | 1929 comments My first one from ACT!!! Well, mostly ACT The Land Before Avocado by Richard Glover by Richard Glover

It was heaps of fun!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 259: by Em__Jay (new)

Em__Jay | 500 comments Deborah wrote: "My first one from ACT!!! Well, mostly ACT The Land Before Avocado by Richard Glover by Richard Glover

It was heaps of fun!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"


I also enjoyed this book. It was definitely a fun read.


message 260: by Carolyn (new)

Carolyn | 9836 comments The Other Side of Beautiful by Kim Lock The Other Side of Beautiful by Kim Lock is really good and is set in both SA and NT so would fit either.


message 261: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
Thanks Carolyn :)


message 262: by MaryG2E (new)

MaryG2E (goodreadscommaryg2e) | 934 comments I loved this challenge because it pushed me to read books written in and about various parts of Australia. Takes the reader beyond Sydney and Melbourne. I'm happy to have finished this challenge, but I will continue to read "around Australia" throughout the year.

Aussie Readers Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia - Australian Authors
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021
Level: Book Lover, i.e. 12 books, maximum of 2 per state/territory
Progress: 12/12


1. ACT: Six Minutes by Petronella McGovern 2.5★s
2. NSW: Dancing on Knives by Kate Forsyth 2.5★s
3. NSW: The Murrumbidgee Kid by Peter Yeldham 4★s
4. NT: The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club by Sophie Green 4★s
5. QLD: Three Parts Truth by Helen Goltz 4★s
6. QLD: Stone Sky Gold Mountain by Mirandi Riwoe 4★s
7. TAS: The Survivors by Jane Harper 4.5★s
8. TAS: The Bluffs by Kyle Perry 4.5★s
9. VIC: Colours of Gold by Kaye Dobbie 4★s
10. VIC: Currawalli Street by Christopher Morgan 4.5★s
11. WA: Honeybee by Craig Silvey 4.5★s
12. WA: The Woman Next Door by Liz Byrski 4.5★s

Six Minutes by Petronella McGovern Dancing on Knives by Kate Forsyth The Murrumbidgee Kid by Peter Yeldham The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club by Sophie Green Three Parts Truth by Helen Goltz Stone Sky Gold Mountain by Mirandi Riwoe The Survivors by Jane Harper The Bluffs by Kyle Perry Colours of Gold by Kaye Dobbie Currawalli Street by Christopher Morgan Honeybee by Craig Silvey The Woman Next Door by Liz Byrski


message 263: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
Great work Mary! Glad you enjoyed it :)


message 264: by Jennifer (JC-S) (new)

Jennifer (JC-S) (jenniferjc-s) Well done, Mary!


message 265: by Em__Jay (new)

Em__Jay | 500 comments I finished Honeybee by Craig Silvey. That's my second WA book done, and I've already got my third from the library.

This brings me to 17/36 books read. Nearly at the halfway point.


message 266: by Marie (new)

Marie | 9 comments I've made some changes to what I thought I'd read. Well on track though. Here's my progress so far.
Tassie Done
The Bluffs by Kyle Perry
Deadman's Track by Sarah Barrie
W. A. Done
Bony And The White Savage (Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte #26) by Arthur W. Upfield
Death Leaves the Station by Alexander Thorpe
Vic done
Darkness for Light (Caleb Zelic, #3) by Emma Viskic
Second Sight by Aoife Clifford
S.A.
Bitter Wash Road by Garry Disher


message 267: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
Moving along nicely Marie :)


message 268: by Cherie (new)

Cherie (mystrez) | 293 comments Finished today :)

Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia
AUSSIE AUTHORS ONLY
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021
Level:
12/12

1. NSW - Electric Blue by Paul F. Verhoeven 4 stars
2. NSW - The Morbids by Ewa Ramsey 3 stars
3. VIC - Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood 3 stars
4. VIC - Leap by Myfanwy Jones 2.5 stars
5. SA - Heart of the Grass Tree by Molly Murn 3 stars
6. TAS - The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy 3 stars
7. TAS - Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman 4 stars
8. NT - Cleave by Nikki Gemmell 2.5 stars
9. ACT - 2028 by Ken Saunders 3.5 stars
10. QLD - Mad Men, Bad Girls and the Guerilla Knitters Institute by Maggie Groff 4 stars
11. QLD - The Beekeeper's Secret by Josephine Moon 4 stars
12. WA - Paper Planes by Steve Worland 4 stars

Electric Blue by Paul F. Verhoeven The Morbids by Ewa Ramsey Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, #1) by Kerry Greenwood Leap by Myfanwy Jones Heart of the Grass Tree by Molly Murn The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman Cleave by Nikki Gemmell 2028 by Ken Saunders Mad Men, Bad Girls and the Guerilla Knitters Institute by Maggie Groff The Beekeeper's Secret by Josephine Moon Paper Planes by Steve Worland


message 269: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
Well done Cherie!!!


message 270: by Deb (new)

Deb Omnivorous Reader | 1929 comments Oh dear! One more for Victoria, while ACT is languishing...

Just Murdered by Katherine Kovacic by Katherine Kovacic

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 271: by Em__Jay (new)

Em__Jay | 500 comments Deborah wrote: "Oh dear! One more for Victoria, while ACT is languishing...

Just Murdered by Katherine Kovacic by Katherine Kovacic

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"


I didn't realise until I started this challenge how skewed my reading is towards books set in NSW and VIC. It's not deliberate on my part. I have no idea why books set in NSW & VIC cross my path more than books set in other states.


message 272: by Clare (new)

Clare Snow (claresnow) | 521 comments Em__Jay wrote: "I didn't realise until I started this challenge how skewed my reading is towards books set in NSW and VIC. It's not deliberate on my part. I have no idea why books set in NSW & VIC cross my path more than books set in other states."

I wonder if its because there are more books published that are set in Vic & NSW? It's a bit like reading books set in Aust and by Aust authors. I have to actively seek out Aust books, because the publishing industry produces more US & UK books. And why this group is so good 🙂


message 273: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
Em__Jay wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Oh dear! One more for Victoria, while ACT is languishing...

Just Murdered by Katherine Kovacic by Katherine Kovacic

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"


Ditto Em! And ACT is the hardest state to find!


message 274: by Veronique (new)

Veronique | 72 comments Brenda wrote: "Em__Jay wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Oh dear! One more for Victoria, while ACT is languishing...

Just Murdered by Katherine Kovacic by Katherine Kovacic

https://www.goodreads.com/rev..."


ACT is tricky. Maybe non-fiction is the best direction to explore as there is a lot of history happening there?


message 275: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
A lot is political too Veronique - I get enough of that without reading it ;)


message 276: by Deb (new)

Deb Omnivorous Reader | 1929 comments Em__Jay wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Oh dear! One more for Victoria, while ACT is languishing...

Just Murdered by Katherine Kovacic by Katherine Kovacic

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

I hear you! It has been a really interesting challenge for figuring out a state by state reading bias.


message 277: by Deb (new)

Deb Omnivorous Reader | 1929 comments Veronique wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Em__Jay wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Oh dear! One more for Victoria, while ACT is languishing...

Just Murdered by Katherine Kovacic by Katherine Kovacic

https://www.go..."


Maybe. I actually read several really good books set in the ACT in the last couple of years, like Six Minutes so I have a shortened list to start with.


message 278: by Veronique (new)

Veronique | 72 comments Brenda wrote: "A lot is political too Veronique - I get enough of that without reading it ;)"

Yes I know! And I totally get where you are coming from...

Brenda wrote: "Em__Jay wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Oh dear! One more for Victoria, while ACT is languishing...

Just Murdered by Katherine Kovacic by Katherine Kovacic

https://www.goodreads.com/rev..."


ACT is tricky. Maybe non-fiction is the best direction to explore as there is a lot of history happening there?


message 279: by Veronique (new)

Veronique | 72 comments Deborah wrote: "Veronique wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Em__Jay wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Oh dear! One more for Victoria, while ACT is languishing...

Just Murdered by Katherine Kovacic by [author:Katherine Kovacic|1714657..."


Oh Deborah excellent suggestion, thank you! This one has been on my to-read list for ages. I will grab a copy of it from the library.


message 280: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
For those people who might still be looking for a WA book to read, I've just added GOLD! by Thomas Greenbank to our WA list.


message 281: by Thomas (new)

Thomas Greenbank (20940426thomas_greenbank) | 58 comments I came into this thread a bit late, but I'll see what I can do to catch up. Being an author first and foremost my biggest challenge is finding time to read as much as I'd like. I always tend to lean towards Aussie works, so it shouldn't be too much of an ask.
I recently finished Chasing the McCubbin, by Sandi Scaunich. I loved that, and posted a review with five stars. That takes care of Victoria.
I'm currently reading The Last Free Man by Lewis Woolston. It's a collection of short stories set in WA, SA and NT. I'm enjoying it so far.
The Last Free Man and Other Stories
Chasing the McCubbin


message 282: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
Welcome Thomas, you're linked :) You can only use one book per state, so although The Last Free Man and Other Stories is set in 3 different states, you must decide which one to use it for.


message 283: by Thomas (new)

Thomas Greenbank (20940426thomas_greenbank) | 58 comments Brenda wrote: "Welcome Thomas, you're linked :) You can only use one book per state, so although The Last Free Man and Other Stories is set in 3 different states, you must decide which one to use ..."

Yeah, I guess I'll make that my NT book. I have Kal, by Judy Nunn on hold at my local library. That will be my WA read.
Cheers. Thomas.
PS: Thanks for adding GOLD! to the mix, by the way.


message 284: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
No worries Thomas :)


message 285: by Meg (new)

Meg (megscl) | 326 comments Sorry if this has been asked before, but is there a limit to how much of the book has to take place in a state/territory to count it?
I just read The Beach Caves and it was mostly set in NSW but with a few significant parts set in Canberra. Would be great to count it for ACT!


message 286: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
That's okay Meg - I had one the same and used it for ACT. Seeing as there aren't zillions of ACT ones around like NSW!!


message 287: by Meg (new)

Meg (megscl) | 326 comments Brenda wrote: "That's okay Meg - I had one the same and used it for ACT. Seeing as there aren't zillions of ACT ones around like NSW!!"

Great. Good to tick a hard one off by accident!


message 288: by Clare (new)

Clare Snow (claresnow) | 521 comments The book The Lost Girls is set in four states/territories - NT, SA, ACT, NSW. I think its the book with the most locations I've read. It's a heart breaking missing person / true crime about Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her daughter Khandalyce Pearce.


message 289: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
Up to you Clare, which location you want to use :)


message 290: by Clare (new)

Clare Snow (claresnow) | 521 comments I finished my 11th book for Book Lover

WA Fremantle That Was My home: voices from the Noongar camps in Fremantle and the western suburbs by Denise Cook Read 12/8. 5★ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Both my WA books are non fiction history and I'm loving finding out about Perth's history, which we don't learn in school.

When I finish my Tassie book I hope to level up. Like everyone else, I have extra NSW & Vic


message 291: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
Going well Clare!! Glad you're enjoying your reads too, especially your non fiction!


message 292: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
I have finally finished with my 3rd ACT one!

Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia
AUSSIE AUTHORS ONLY
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021
Level: Book Connoisseur
62/36+

Western Australia

a) Vengeance Blind by Anna Willett 5s 31/1/21
b) PEST by Anna Willett 5s 21/5/21
c) Dear Neighbour by Anna Willett 5s 22/6/21
d) Retribution Ridge by Anna Willett 4s 6/3/21
e) Something to Hide by Fleur McDonald 5s 1/4/21

South Australia
a) The Wattle Seed Inn by Leonie Kelsall 5s 2/7/21
b) The Missing Girl by Kerry McGinnis 5s 3/7/21
c) Cabernet and Confessions by Daisy Linh 4s 4/1/21
d) No Good Deed by Diane Hester 5s 4/6/21
e) The Jam Queens by Josephine Moon 5s 14/4/21
f) Claret and Clippers by Daisy Linh 4s 13/7/21
g) Mark Of Guilt by Diane Hester 5s 1/8/21

Victoria
a) The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions: The ultimate Miss Phryne Fisher collection by Kerry Greenwood 4s 2/4/21
b) Stealing Time by Rebecca Bowyer 4s 15/3/21
c) Magpie's Bend by Maya Linnell 5s 25/5/21
d) Sargasso by Kathy George 4s 27/1/21
e) Sunflower by Ingrid Laguna 5s 8/2/21
f) How to Endo by Bridget Hustwaite 5s 21/2/21
g) The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth 5s 27/2/21
h) As Swallows Fly by L.P. McMahon 5s 28/2/21
i) A Child of My Own by Vanessa Carnevale 5s 2/3/21
j) A Winning Betrayal by Louise Guy 4s 12/3/21
k) A Nanny Called Alice by Barbara Hannay 5s 1/4/21
l) The Long Game by Simon Rowell 5s 29/7/21

Tasmania
a) A Week to Remember by Esther Campion 5s 15/2/21
b) The Monster of Her Age by Danielle Binks 2.5s 24/7/21
c) The Long Con by Barry Weston 3.5s 30/3/21
d) The Big Rort by Barry Weston 3.5s 28/5/21
e) The Better Son by Katherine Johnson 5s 22/3/21
f) The Last of the Apple Blossom by Mary-Lou Stephens 5s 26/7/21

Northern Territory
a) Beyond Alice by Tanya Heaslip 5s 2/5/21
b) Hidden Valley by Annie Seaton 5s 5/4/21
c) Still by Matt Nable 4s 18/5/21

Queensland
a) The Beekeeper's Secret by Josephine Moon 5s 15/1/21
b) Emma by Fiona McArthur 4.5s 2/2/21
c) The Emporium of Imagination by Tabitha Bird 5s 24/3/21
d) Mia by Fiona McArthur 4s 6/1/21
e) The Life She Creates by Maggie Christensen 5s 12/1/21
f) The Codebreakers by Alli Sinclair 5s 25/2/21
g) The Life She Regrets by Maggie Christensen 5s 16/3/21
h) Time Will Tell by Rhonda Forrest 5s 3/4/21
i) The Perfect Family by Jacquie Underdown 5s 17/5/21

New South Wales
a) All We Dream by Pamela Cook 5s 9/1/21
b) Crackenback by Lee Christine 5s 24/1/21
c) Snowy Mountains Daughter by Alissa Callen 5s 20/1/21
d) Dark Justice by Catherine Lee 5s 21/6/21
e) Elizabeth & Elizabeth by Sue Williams 4s 11/1/21
f) The Truth & Addy Loest by Kim Kelly 4s 19/1/21
g) Starting from Scratch by Penelope Janu 5s 2/1/21
h) Shelter by Catherine Jinks 3s 1/1/21
i) The Reach by B. Michael Radburn 5s 18/1/21
k) The Second Son by Loraine Peck 4s 25/1/21
l) In the Heat of the Night by Susanne Bellamy 4s 7/2/21
m) And Then There Were 9 by C.A. Larmer 5s 18/2/21
n) Bring Him Home by Nicole Trope 5s 27/3/21
o) From Where I Fell by Susan Johnson 2s 31/3/21
p) Sisters of Freedom by Mary-Anne O'Connor 5s 6/4/21
q) Lovebirds by Amanda Hampson 5s 5/5/21
r) The Vet from Snowy River by Stella Quinn 5s 3/6/21

Australian Capital Territory
a) Hanged Man in the Garden by Marion Halligan 2s 20/8/21
b) The Life She Dreams by Maggie Christensen 5s 14/7/21
c) Dead Letters by Michael Brissenden 4s 28/6/21

Vengeance Blind by Anna Willett Pest by Anna Willett Dear Neighbour by Anna Willett Retribution Ridge by Anna Willett Something to Hide by Fleur McDonald The Wattle Seed Inn by Leonie Kelsall The Missing Girl by Kerry McGinnis Cabernet and Confessions (Barossa Valley Cozy Mystery #1) by Daisy Linh No Good Deed by Diane Hester The Jam Queens by Josephine Moon Claret and Clippers by Daisy Linh Mark Of Guilt by Diane Hester The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions The ultimate Miss Phryne Fisher collection by Kerry Greenwood Stealing Time by Rebecca Bowyer Magpie's Bend by Maya Linnell Sargasso by Kathy George Sunflower (Jamila #2) by Ingrid Laguna How to Endo by Bridget Hustwaite The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth As Swallows Fly by L.P. McMahon A Child of My Own by Vanessa Carnevale A Winning Betrayal by Louise Guy A Nanny Called Alice (Outback Brides Return to Wirralong Book 4) by Barbara Hannay A Week to Remember by Esther Campion The Monster of Her Age by Danielle Binks The Long Con (The Tasmanian Private Investigation Agency #1) by Barry Weston The Big Rort (The Tasmanian Private Investigation Agency #2) by Barry Weston The Better Son by Katherine Johnson Beyond Alice by Tanya Heaslip Hidden Valley (The Porter Sisters #4) by Annie Seaton Still by Matt Nable The Beekeeper's Secret by Josephine Moon Emma (Lyrebird Lake #4) by Fiona McArthur The Emporium of Imagination by Tabitha Bird Mia (Lyrebird Lake #3) by Fiona McArthur The Life She Creates (Granite Springs #7) by Maggie Christensen The Codebreakers by Alli Sinclair The Life She Regrets (Granite Springs #8) by Maggie Christensen Time Will Tell by Rhonda Forrest The Perfect Family by Jacquie Underdown All We Dream by Pamela Cook Crackenback by Lee Christine Snowy Mountains Daughter by Alissa Callen Dark Justice (Cooper & Quinn #7) by Catherine Lee Elizabeth & Elizabeth by Sue Williams The Truth & Addy Loest by Kim Kelly Starting from Scratch by Penelope Janu Shelter by Catherine Jinks The Reach (Taylor Bridges, #3) by B. Michael Radburn The Second Son by Loraine Peck In the Heat of the Night (Bindarra Creek A Town Reborn #2) by Susanne Bellamy And Then There Were 9 (Agatha Christie Book Club #4) by C.A. Larmer Bring Him Home by Nicole Trope From Where I Fell by Susan Johnson Sisters of Freedom by Mary-Anne O'Connor Lovebirds by Amanda Hampson The Vet from Snowy River by Stella Quinn Hanged Man in the Garden by Marion Halligan The Life She Dreams (Granite Springs #9) by Maggie Christensen Dead Letters by Michael Brissenden


message 293: by Trish (new)

Trish (trishr) | 1109 comments Great reading, Brenda 👏👏


message 294: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
Thank you very much Trish :)


message 295: by Thomas (new)

Thomas Greenbank (20940426thomas_greenbank) | 58 comments Thomas wrote: "I came into this thread a bit late, but I'll see what I can do to catch up. Being an author first and foremost my biggest challenge is finding time to read as much as I'd like. I always tend to lea..."

I've now added Arcadia, by Di Morrissey, to my read list. I didn't enjoy it all that much. A bit too sweet for me and it made me feel like I was attending an ecology lecture. I did post a review(three stars)
Currently reading Boy Swallows Universe. It took several pages to grab me but I'm really into it now. Trent Dalton is a great writer with a very unique voice. It's definitely not one for the faint-hearted!


message 296: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
Thomas wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I came into this thread a bit late, but I'll see what I can do to catch up. Being an author first and foremost my biggest challenge is finding time to read as much as I'd like. I alw..."

Thomas, to link your books, click on 'add book/author' in the top right hand corner and follow the prompts. It makes it easier for us to click on your link and check out the book :) Thanks!


message 298: by Thomas (new)

Thomas Greenbank (20940426thomas_greenbank) | 58 comments Boy Swallows Universe
Arcadia
Thanks, Brenda. I'd forgotten about that.


message 299: by Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen (new)

Brenda | 79969 comments Mod
You're welcome and good job!


message 300: by Lewis (new)

Lewis Woolston | 20 comments Just a tip if people are having trouble finding an ACT book.
"Me and Mr Booker" by Corey Taylor is set in the suburbs of Canberra. I could be wrong but i think it's the only Text Classics title that is set in the ACT.
Hope that is helpful to someone.


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