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Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
In Overland's 243rd issue, we're proud to print the results of the inaugural Kuracca prize established honour of Aunty Kerry Reed-Gilbert. We received an enormous number of - submissions from writers of all levels of experience, and each of our veteran judges. Jeanine Leane, Elena Gomez and Justin Clemens remarked on the breadth and quality of submissions. Our winning entry came from Adam Brannigan. a registered nurse and previously unpublished writer; his poetic narrative 'Great grandmother Arrabrilya is a powerful reminder of the healing possibilities of language and culture, which so many of us — currently languishing in lockdown — might need. It's conventional at the moment to opine on the hidden costs and generational sacrifices of the pandemic, which are of course, terrible. Robbo Bennett's essay 'The Bridge and the Fire' articulates a new history of solidarity marginal to headline news, and perhaps points towards other narratives of care and decency currently being written.' (Editorial)
Contents
* Contents derived from the 2021 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
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Coming Together for Ceremony,
single work
essay
(p. 3-13)'The story goes that a writer, and wannabe singer, dancer and actor (who screamed like Screamin' Jay Hawkins and pivoted like James Brown), and a real actor and wannabe director (you might know her from such TV shows as Prisoner, The Flying Doctors, and the cult film Little Miss Wonder), met at the Black Playwright's conference in 1989 in Canberra. They fell in love, talked politics, representation and storytelling, had a baby (well two - the second being Ilbijerri), fell out of love, and the rest is history. Well, that's one story.' (Introduction)
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A Teleology of Folding, and of Dying,
single work
essay
(p. 14-31)
'For years, nobody called me by my name. In Brisbane. I was jen; in Melbourne people called me ana. It was a neat split, my name folded into a recognisable shape, the unnecessary syllables and foreign letters turned in against themselves and shushed. It is a recent thing to have claimed the full breadth of myself. Dzenana. That's what people call me now: in Bosnia, my place of birth; in Glasgow, where I'm studying; increasingly, back home in Melbourne, in Brisbane. I stopped offering the folded envelope of my identity months ago and yet still, to hear my name said aloud is a particular thrill; almost sensual, like new touch. The intimacy of it takes my breath away. I glow at its gentle syncopation, the shallow sigh of its vowels. My name is Persian for beloved. Where I am from, it identifies me : Bosniak, and : Muslims.' (Introduction)
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The Bridge and the Fire,
single work
essay
(p. 32-37)'I want to begin by acknowledging the enduring loss experienced by those whose family members, loved ones and workmates died in Australia's worst industrial accident. I started on the West Gate Bridge well after the collapse, and I often wondered if only those there on the day could fully comprehend the human dimensions of its tragedy. Decades later, my question was answered when I saw it through the prism of my experience of another catastrophe.' (Introduction)
- Great Grandmother Arrabrilya, single work short story (p. 45-47)
- Me, the (Failed) Revolutionary'., single work short story (p. 48-55)
- The Grief Tourist, single work poetry (p. 56)
- Among the Quietening Airi"We slow down enough to grow a match of moss", single work poetry (p. 57)
- The Dead Seai"We went to the Dead Sea but I didn't bring", single work poetry (p. 57)
- What's Hobbling the Beat (A Soliloquy in Three Rhythms)i"didn't my mum and dad slave away through gritted teeth on hands and knees", single work poetry (p. 58)
- Abattoir Songi"the shuffle hooves", single work poetry (p. 59)
- Backseat Drivingi"on the carpet at the rear of the family car", single work poetry (p. 59)
- Until It Was Memoryi"i am grieving for this wolf hole where", single work poetry (p. 60)
- Out of Timei"You can't ask a replica of a replica", single work poetry (p. 60)
- The Saltpani"I am grilling the gills of mackerel", single work poetry (p. 61)
- The Coffee Coffee Drinksi"love is as strong as death", single work poetry (p. 62-63)
- Graphology Restoration 20i"I heard phrases I don't recall having heard before", single work poetry (p. 63)
- Graphology Restoration 17 : Name Rename Name...termi"No claim in the name 'Jam Tree Gully'", single work poetry (p. 64)
- Green Thumb, single work short story (p. 65-70)
- Tight Lines, single work short story (p. 71-77)
- Ritual, single work short story (p. 78-84)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Last amended 27 Oct 2021 13:23:32
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