AustLit

'There is a rich and powerful story stitched into a few pieces of coloured fabric of a man whose design created meaning for a nation of people once invisible to the mainland of Australia. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Torres Strait Islander Flag as we journey into the Straits with Bala B to uncover and honour the life and times of his late father – Bernard Namok Senior, the flag’s creator.' (Production summary)

'Set among the turquoise waters and lethal wildlife of Australia's Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait, The Straits is an exotic, darkly humorous crime drama.

'The Montebellos are not your average Australian family. Modern day smugglers, their family business is transporting drugs into Australia and guns and exotic wildlife out, making use of ties of blood and loyalty in the Torres Strait Islands.

'When Harry, the head of the family, starts to plan his succession, a power struggle is sparked between brother and brother, wife and daughter.

'Under strict population control measures, Layla faces the reality of her unregistered pregnancy.'

Source: Melbourne International Film Festival.

'Fragments of Malungoka – Women of the Sea explores what Ghenoa’s female ancestry means to her as a mainland-born Torres Strait Islander woman. By sharing her culture with an ensemble of non-Torres Strait women, Ghenoa integrates traditional influences with contemporary movement and technology. ...' (Source: National Indigenous Times, 10 May 2016 on-line)

Tarena Shaw has just finished her Law degree but isn't sure if she wants to be a lawyer after all. What place does a black lawyer have in a white system? Does everyone in Sydney feel like a turtle without a shell? Drawn to Thursday Island, the home of her grandparents, Tarena is persuaded by her family to take on her first case. Part of the evidence is a man with a guitar and a very special song... Butterfly Song moves from the pearling days in the Torres Strait to the ebb and flow of big city life, with a warm and funny modern heroine whose story reaches across cultures.

'A warmly rendered story of life in a small town that interweaves the mundane with the profound and the spiritual. Told through the eyes of teenager, Fuzzy Mac, awkward episodes of teen rivalry and romance sit alongside the mystery of Nan’s visions and a ghostly encounter. Against a backdrop of quirky characters, including the holocaust survivor who went to school with Einstein and the little priest always rushing off to bury someone before the heat gets to them, Grace Beside Me is full of humour and timely wisdom.

'Rob; (and his brother Pen) white Aussies. Rob is completing Year 12, going to schoolies, working as an apprentice in his dad's company and loves his dog, Nig. Rob believes real men take risks.

'Pen; fifteen-years-old, storyteller, graffiti artiste extraordinaire with a penchant for male anatomy. Pen is liked by everyone. Pen and Benny Boy are mates.

'Benny Boy; fifteen-years-old, Aboriginal, loves drawing, fishing and living with his awesome (white) foster Nan.

'Jake’s more interested in video games than in his family background. Visiting the Torres Strait Islands changes all that. He even braves a cyclone to help his Nanna.' (Source: Publishers website)

'Based on a Torres Strait Islander creation story with illustrations by 18-year-old Tori-Jay Mordey. Bakir (rock) and Mar (storm bird) live on a remote island called Egur with their two young children. While fishing on the beach Bakir comes across a very special pelican (Bakir’s totem is a pelican) named Bi. A famine occurs, and life on the island is no longer harmonious. One day Bakir and Bi disappear and Mar and the children are forced to make the journey to another island by canoe ... and so begins the adventure.

These stories and drawings came from children of the Sacred Heart School, the Thursday island Primary School, and the Horn Island School". (Cover)

'Clunk! When a canoe crashes into the hull of the pearling boat Nimah after a huge storm, the crew is amazed to find a young girl aboard - but she's lost her memory and can't speak! Is she an Islander? Where is her family? How did she end up there? Follow Ben and Mimi and the rest of Nimah's crew as they try to uncover the mystery of Pearl Shell Island the lost girl with no voice.' (Publication summary)

The stories in this collection were obtained at thirteen islands, within the archipelago of the Torres Strait, between Cape York, the northern point of Queensland, and the south coast of Papua New Guinea. The Islanders, despite nearly a century of continuous and increasing contact with European ways and thought, have been able to retain unbroken links with their past. It is these people, who over a period of four years, made a conscious effort to pass on to the general reader, whether they live in Torres Strait or elsewhere, part of their heritage which is embodied in legend and myth.

'This anthology explores the life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ families, today and in the past. There are stories on ongoing tradition, of loss and sadness, and of new beginnings.' (Source: Publishers website)

'Sam Thaiday is one of rugby league’s most highly regarded and respected players. Often seen as one of the last true larrikins of the game, Sam has entertained Brisbane Broncos, Queensland State of Origin and Australian fans over his sixteen-year career.