First Nations Classics Bundle

Our state is filled with powerful First Nations voices, writing of hardships, Country, family and resilience. Read them for yourself, and learn from their stories. In this bundle, seek the truth in family histories with Sally Morgan in My Place and Kim Scott and Hazel Brown in Kayang & Me. Be inspired by the extraordinary journeys of women in regional and remote Australia in Under a Bilari Tree I Born by Alice Bilari Smith and When the Pelican Laughed by Alice Nannup. And in Kim Scott’s Benang, a young Indigenous man embarks on a profound journey within himself. This bundle also includes a Fremantle Press supporter enamel pin. Sally Morgan Sally Morgan was born in Perth, in 1951. She has published books for both adults and children, including her acclaimed autobiography, My Place. She has also established a national reputation as an artist and has works in many private and public collections. Sally Morgan was born in Perth, in 1951. She has published books for both adults and children, including her acclaimed autobiography, My Place. She has also established a national reputation as an artist and has works in many private and public collections. Kim Scott Kim Scott is a descendant of people living along the south coast of Western Australia prior to colonisation, and is proud to be one among those who call themselves Noongar. He began writing for publication shortly after he became a secondary school teacher of English. True Country, his first novel, was published in 1993. His subsequent books include Benang: From the Heart (1999), Kayang & Me (2005), That Deadman Dance (2010) and Taboo (2017). Kim’s writing has won numerous national and international awards, including the Miles Franklin Literary Award (twice) and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. He is currently Professor of Writing at Curtin University in Western Australia. Kim Scott is a descendant of people living along the south coast of Western Australia prior to colonisation, and is proud to be one among those who call themselves Noongar. He began writing for publication shortly after he became a secondary school teacher of English. True Country, his first novel, was published in 1993. His subsequent books include Benang: From the Heart (1999), Kayang & Me (2005), That Deadman Dance (2010) and Taboo (2017). Kim’s writing has won numerous national and international awards, including the Miles Franklin Literary Award (twice) and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. He is currently Professor of Writing at Curtin University in Western Australia. Hazel Brown (d.2021) Hazel Brown (b. 1925, d. 2021) was born at Kendenup in the Great Southern. Her mother was Nellie (Sybil) Limestone who married one of the Wirlomin people, Fred (Yiller) Roberts in 1921. Fred (Yiller) died in 1930 and his brother, Wilfred Roberts (Tjinjel) married Sybil and reared up all the children. Hazel was the senior cultural matriarch for Wirlomin. She was a warrior and an activist who cared for and defended many people, especially women and those who were vulnerable. She also held the community together in the hard times, helped retain language and the spirit behind it, and helped build its future. She was a very important figure in winning respect, rights and the Native Title struggle. In 2005, her book Kayang and Me was published by Fremantle Press. Hazel Brown (b. 1925, d. 2021) was born at Kendenup in the Great Southern. Her mother was Nellie (Sybil) Limestone who married one of the Wirlomin people, Fred (Yiller) Roberts in 1921. Fred (Yiller) died in 1930 and his brother, Wilfred Roberts (Tjinjel) married Sybil and reared up all the children. Hazel was the senior cultural matriarch for Wirlomin. She was a warrior and an activist who cared for and defended many people, especially women and those who were vulnerable. She also held the community together in the hard times, helped retain language and the spirit behind it, and helped build its future. She was a very important figure in winning respect, rights and the Native Title struggle. In 2005, her book Kayang and Me was published by Fremantle Press. Alice Nannup (d.1995) Alice Nannup was born on a Pilbara station in 1911 to an Aboriginal mother and white father. She was taken from her community at the age of twelve and sent south to work as a domestic servant. After her marriage in 1932, Alice raised ten children. Known as ‘Nan’, she lived in Geraldton surrounded by her friends and extensive family until she passed away in November 1995. Alice Nannup was born on a Pilbara station in 1911 to an Aboriginal mother and white father. She was taken from her community at the age of twelve and sent south to work as a domestic servant. After her marriage in 1932, Alice raised ten children. Known as ‘Nan’, she lived in Geraldton surrounded by her friends and extensive family until she passed away in November 1995. Alice Bilari Smith (d.2012) Alice Bilari Smith was born at Rocklea Station in the Pilbara in the 1920s. Her mother was a Banyjima woman and her father a white teamster. She was raised by her Aboriginal family and narrowly escaped being removed to Moore River. After her marriage, Alice spent most of her adult years living in the bush and raising a large family. They retained their language and many of their customs, and it was not until 1969 that Alice settled in Roebourne so that her children could attend school. Living in Roebourne, she was a foster mother to fifteen children and a valued member of the community. Alice died on 1 February 2012 at Roebourne District Hospital. Alice Bilari Smith was born at Rocklea Station in the Pilbara in the 1920s. Her mother was a Banyjima woman and her father a white teamster. She was raised by her Aboriginal family and narrowly escaped being removed to Moore River. After her marriage, Alice spent most of her adult years living in the bush and raising a large family. They retained their language and many of their customs, and it was not until 1969 that Alice settled in Roebourne so that her children could attend school. Living in Roebourne, she was a foster mother to fifteen children and a valued member of the community. Alice died on 1 February 2012 at Roebourne District Hospital.