A Particular Woman is one woman's personal journey as she recounts life's highs and lows.
Ashley Dawson-Damer embraced the turbulence of the '60s, attending uni in her home-made mini-skirts, imagining a successful career, husband and house full of children. Instead she found her marriage in breakdown after enduring multiple miscarriages which left her alone with two young children - an adopted little boy and a baby in arms.
In the memoir A Particular Woman, Ashley speaks frankly about her life as a single mother, her entry into modelling, her joy at a second chance at love, the crumbling old country house and garden she lovingly restored for her family; and the horrific death of her second husband.
After Ashley's mental health took a downward spiral, she eventually discovered peace and drew strength from nature and her love of the arts.
Laced with humour and moments of thoughtful reflection, Ashley's story moves from the glamour of modelling to expat stints in Peron's Argentina, Canada, Africa and Asia, to the politics of the boardroom. She is currently a trustee of the Art Gallery of NSW and has served as director of Opera Australia Capital Fund since 2014. Over the past 30 years, Ashley has been a member of the board of the Festival of Sydney, the National Art School, the National Gallery of Australia Council and Foundation and the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
A Particular Woman, Ventura Press RRP $32.99