AustLit

'Lorna Lippmann was a tireless advocate for Aboriginal rights to self-determination. Her commitment was underpinned by, in her own words, humanistic values of justice and concern for those less privileged. Lorna was formidable, even intimidating, because her priorities were so clear-cut. She was petite, elegantly dressed and wasted nothing on trivialities or unnecessary explanations. A huge intellect cloaked in elegance and charm was how one person described her.' (Introduction)

'Physically the book is small, a convenient size for a pocket guide to the night sky. It contains many sky maps, some using the conventional Western astronomical names for constellations, others compiled and drawn by Cairns. They are not simple guides to the sky but rather function to mark out the pathway taken by the protagonists in the dramas described by Bill Yidumduma Harney and recorded by Hugh Cairns. There are many illustrations but the numbering is frustratingly obscure. Even more frustrating was the fact that, despite my carrying the book in a small plastic wallet, it completely disintegrated leaving me with a stack of loose sheets.'  (Introduction)

'Dream Road, A journey of Discovery is a book of many journeys. It should not be read as history but as Percy Trezise, his story. It tells of exploration into the physical and mythological landscapes of southeastern Cape York. Already fascinated by glimpses of the rock paintings near Laura, Trezise used his aerial perspective as an Ansett Airlines pilot, flying across Cape York Peninsula, to note patterns in the vegetation that might indicate permanent waterholes and rock shelters that might contain paintings. He marked his navigation maps and returned to explore the country by four-wheel drive, on foot or with pack horses.' (Introduction)