Blak and Bright

What makes intriguing writing for young adult readers? Edie Wright talks to award-winning writers Kirli Saunders, Jared Thomas and Teela May Reid.

Free – bookings essential.

12.30pm—1.30pm @ The Wheeler Centre: Performance Space

 

Kirli Saunders (she/her) is a proud Gunai Woman and award-winning multidisciplinary creator and consultant. An experienced speaker and facilitator advocating for the environment, gender and racial equality and LGBTIQA+ rights, Kirli was the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year (2020). Kirli’s books, The Incredible Freedom Machines (2018, Scholastic), Kindred (2019, Magabala) and Bindi (2020, Magabala) have been celebrated by the Prime Minister’s, QLD, WA and Victorian Premier’s Literary, ABIAs, Kate Challis RAKA, ABDA and CBCA awards. Her work is published in anthologies and public art. She has 8 forthcoming titles. Kirli’s art has been exhibited in Shoalhaven and Wollongong Galleries and commissioned for public art across a range of sectors. With the support of Australia Council for the Arts, Kirli will hold her first solo poetic arts exhibition Returning at the SHAC Gallery in 2021. Her first Solo play, Going Home has been commissioned by Playwriting Australia, and will take the stage in 2022. Kirli is a board member for Merrigong Theatre. kirlisaunders.com

Dr Jared Thomas (he/him) is a Nukunu person of the Southern Flinders Ranges and the Research Fellow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Material Culture and Art at the South Australian Museum and University of South Australia. An International award winning children’s and young adult fiction writer his novel ‘Calypso Summer’ is on the International Youth Library White Raven list of books that deserve worldwide attention. Jared’s other award winning releases include ’Songs that Sound Like Blood’ and the ‘Game Day’ series co-written with NBA player and Olympian Patty Mills.

Teela Reid (she/her) is a proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman born and raised in Gilgandra western NSW. Teela is lawyer, activist and storyteller who is committed to eliminating systemic racism in our society. Currently, she is a Sydney-based solicitor with experience practicing in criminal and civil law. Previously, Teela was tipstaff to the Honourable Justice Lucy McCallum of the NSW Supreme Court.

In 2021, Teela was named as a Future Shaper by Time Out Sydney for her public advocacy across a range of mediums. She was also awarded the 2020 UNSW Young Achiever for her contributions to the community, her advocacy as a working group leader on s 51(xxvi), the Race Power, in the Constitutional dialogue process that culminated in the Uluru Statement from the Heart that culminated in the most historic calls for a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Australian Constitution and a Makarrata Commission to enable a process of Treaty and Truth-telling. Teela was also recognised for her work as a key thinker and leading advocate behind the Walama Court, a proposal to establish an Aboriginal sentencing court at the NSW District Court jurisdiction, in addition to her full-time job as a criminal defence lawyer at Legal Aid NSW.

Edie Wright is a Bardi woman and Manager of Aboriginal Education in the Kimberley. She is passionate about programming, outcomes, improving attendance, retention and engagement for Indigenous children. Edie is working to make opportunities for Aboriginal educators to take on leadership roles and provide a culturally safe place for Aboriginal parents to communicate with teachers in English and take part on school councils and boards.