GRLCEvents

"Nothing About Us Without Us" is a slogan used to communicate the idea that no policy should be decided by any representative without the full and direct participation of members of the group affected by that policy.

In this session chaired by Sue Lawson, First Nations Elders and published writers Aunty Fay Muir and Aunty Edith Wright will discuss how First Nations people and culture are represented in publishing. The panel, including local Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles, will discuss First Nations representation today and in the past, the importance of truth telling and how to handle the complex issue of own stories in literature.

Sue Lawson writes books for children and young adults. Her books have won the Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature and been short-listed for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards. Her latest and 31st book, a collaboration with Geelong author and healer, Sue Hindle, came out earlier this year.

Aunty Fay Muir is a Boonwurrung Elder. Together with Sue Lawson, Fay has written nine books for Magabala Books. The first three to be published, Respect, Sharing and Family, are part of the Our Place Series, which introduces young readers to the rich culture of Australia’s traditional owners.

Aunty Edith Wright is Bardi Jawi from the Dampier Peninsula north of Broome in Western Australia. She has extensive experience in education across two sectors and continues to support schools with their Reconciliation Action Plan. Full Circle is her first biography (2001: Fremantle Arts Centre Press) and in 2022 Edie published her first children’s book Charlie’s Swim through Magabala Books. She is currently a Director of Magabala Books.

Corrina Eccles is a proud Wadawurrung woman living and working on Wadawurrung Country in Djilang/Geelong. Corrina is Manager – Cultural Education for the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) who are the Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. The Corporation actively seeks to protect and conserve Wadawurrung living cultural heritage, including through planning and design initiatives.

Tickets - $20/$10 for GRLC Members

Audience questions welcomed. Book sales and book signings will be offered at the conclusion of the event.