Local creative launches second children’s book

Dorothy Wall, Mem Fox, Jackie French, and Darcy Gaynor all share something in common - they’ve all tapped into the Australian ecosystem to tell tales of adventure and wonder.

For Darcy Gaynor, it’s the story of an unlikely trio, made up of the heroic Koey Koala, the determined Plash Platypus, and the bumbling but big-hearted Daggy Dingo, better known as The Track Troop that is striking a chord with Australian children and parents alike.

Having launched his debut published book in December of 2024 titled The Track Troop: Don’t Give Up The Chip, Gaynor has just released the second book in the series, The Track Troop: Gold Retriever. Both written and illustrated by the Inverleigh creative, The Track Troop taps into Gaynor’s childhood adoration of quirky, slapstick adventure animations and stories that have been crafted with a little bit of love.

Keep up to date with all things arts, exhibitions and stage here.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Darcy Gaynor (@darcy_gaynor)

“I decided to write an adventure book series because I was inspired by the books and shows I watched throughout my life that touched my heart and to bring my creativity to life,” Gaynor explains.

Like his fellow author-lineup, Gaynor scoped out the lay of the land to develop his unique and charismatic characters, fleshing out each loveable personality to reflect the true nature of the animals. A dingo with a playful presence, a perceptive platypus and a resourceful koala; with clashing personalities it makes for a chaotic yet humorous combination. Add a side of slapstick, a dash of dry-wit, and a gallon of giggles, and you have the recipe for a riot read!

The Track Troop: Gold Retriever follows the trio as they investigate a museum heist involving TV-famous golden retriever and self-proclaimed gold expert, Goldwyn Bright Heart. It’s a high-stakes mission full of twisting turns, hilarious slips, and it all ends in a bang! It draws from all of the best pop-culture references whilst being a completely unique and fresh story where friendship is always at the centre. 

“I came up with the ideas through adventure-themed stories of treasure hunting and mysteries involving conspiracy, and to teach others that people aren’t always what they seem when it comes to temptation. I was always inspired by animation that was full of humour growing up, and how the heroes win with and without strategy,” he says. 

Available for purchase on Amazon and stocked in a stack of local bookshops across the Geelong region under local publishing house Morpheus Publishing, The Track Troop: Gold Retriever has been a hit, continuing a streak of artistic ventures for Gaynor.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Morpheus Publishing (@morpheuspublishing)

A master of the creative arts, on top of being an author and illustrator of children’s books, Gaynor is also an actor, musician, visual artist, novelist, and YouTube creator. He has appeared in the 2021 Australian biographical psychological drama Nitram, ABC mini-series Fires, the 2018 film The Whistleblower, and in SoHo / Fox Showcase hybrid drama Wentworth, whilst his canvas based paintings have been exhibited across the region. More recently, his YouTube channel, Unique Equality has seen him at the centre of the camera. Gaynor, who lives with Cystic Fibrosis, neurodiversity and autism spectrum disorder, interviews fellow neurodiverse-identifying members of the community, along with their carers. It has garnered significant recognition for its open-conversational, stigma-removing, positive illumination of neurodiverse persons and their lifestyles.

“I did Unique Equality because I wanted other people who are neurodivergent to inspire others and to teach society that they are more capable than they’re given credit for by teaching those struggling to get back on track,” says Gaynor.

As Gaynor grows his portfolio of projects, there is no lack of passion for creating. The Track Troop series is looking to expand its library and a brand new novel is on the way.

“I am currently editing my first fantasy novel that I wrote a decade ago, which I’m hoping to be out soon, and I’m still considering planning another The Track Troop adventure; a new mystery and with some more slapstick humour.”

For now, dive deep into the gold mine to uncover the treasure, and maybe even something unexpected, with The Track Troop: Gold Retriever.

The Track Troop series from Darcy Gaynor can be purchased through Amazon or head to your local bookshop to pick up a copy – they make a fantastic stocking filler for Christmas!

Purchase your copy here.