AustLit

'The authors Nicholas Brown and Susan Boden, a husband and wife team, collaboratively wrote A Way Through: The life of Rick Farley. Brown’s background as a historian is displayed in the strength of historicity and finely grained insight into Rick Farley’s contribution, first as head of the Cattlemen’s Union and the National Farmers Federation (NFF) and later with Landcare and on reconciliation. The level of detail included drilling down to the level of investigating the series of Collins 3880 notebooks Farley used for his negotiations in his later years. A substantial bibliography provides references for anyone who wishes to further research Farley’s achievements.' (Introduction)

'Representations of Aborigines matter. Clearly, media presentations about us matter because they are how many Australians get to know us. In the same way, every policy document, government report and academic text contributes to our collective and individual identities. Mainstream educators are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of representations as they create strategic partnerships with communities. Creating community–school partnerships are a particular focus of Aboriginal education courses at many universities. Many students will arrive at these courses with little personal knowledge of Aborigines. What the students are guided to learn about Aborigines in training courses will affect the ways that they initially engage Aboriginal students and communities. It follows that the conversations experienced teachers have with pre-service and early career teachers will have a significant impact on learning and teaching in Aboriginal education. These conversations matter in terms of teaching practice and curriculum content. There is then a significant responsibility that comes with writing a textbook about Aborigines for an audience of pre-service and early career teachers.'  (Introduction)

'Dale Kerwin has transformed his doctoral thesis into an impressive book, with an enticing title and cover. The ‘paths’ and ‘routes’ in the title refer to the vast, complex and well-used network of pathways that covered this country before Europeans arrived. This book looks at the nature of this network, its rich array of associated infrastructure, both cultural and spiritual, and the way in which it was co-opted by Europeans to take control of the Australian continent from the late eighteenth century onwards. As the series editor David Cahill notes in his preface, this is an ‘emic’ study — an ‘insider’s’ view. Thus the author, an Aboriginal scholar, brings to this study not only his voice but also the knowledge and understanding of a number of Aboriginal Elders across the continent. The six chapters are well illustrated with black and white maps, photographs and drawings, for which the front listings contain informative extra notes. There is a solid reference list and a sufficient index, a feature that is a helpful addition to the original thesis. Several of the chapter titles I found to be most intriguing and inviting.' (Introduction)

'This series of personal perspectives on the work and life of Yulyurlu Lorna Fencer Napurrurla focuses on a remarkable artist and her contribution as an uncompromising leader in contemporary art practice. West’s edited volume comprises three personally connected essays and plates of Napurrurla’s better known works. The book delivers through soulful, personal and evocative narratives a strong connection to the artist, who died in 2006.'  (Introduction)