AustLit

'This is the story of Celia Rosser, the internationally acclaimed botanical illustrator, who ultimately dedicated her life to painting the entire genus of Banksia, the only artist to have done such a thing. Celia's dedication to the task put her at the center of the Monash Banksia Project, underwritten by Monash University for 25 years and culminating in the production of an extraordinary three-volume florilegium that became one of the great books published in the 20th century. This is also the story of the emergence of an artist who grew up in difficult circumstances during the Great Depression and pursued her art partly as a way of protecting herself from the harsher side of life. The narrative stays focused on the path of the artist, as Celia grows up, develops her talent, and learns to understand and take advantage of it. The story follows her struggles to pursue her artistic passion while fulfilling the expectations of women in 1950s to subordinate themselves to their husbands as wives and mothers. In telling this story of Celia Rosser's unparalleled talent and extraordinary achievement, the book explores the history of botanical illustration, botany, academia, gardens and their herbarium, and Australia's place in changing the shape of the world.' (Publication summary)

'"It's bad luck to catch a black swan."

'Eileen Harrison grew up at the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Mission Station in the 1950s as one of eleven children in a tight-knit and loving family. When the new assimilation policy comes in, they are wrenched from the Mission and sent off to Ararat in the hope that they will become part of that community. Unable to build a stable life in the face of isolation and discrimination, the family is torn apart. Eileen must become the protector and the peacemaker.

'As a child, Eileen set free a black swan caught in a hessian bag. Now the story of the magical black swan from her childhood provides an uncanny map for her life as she struggles to find her path. After many years she discovers her talent as a painter and builds a new life for herself.

'Powerfully told in Eileen's words, her experiences speak eloquently of what has happened to Aboriginal people over the last half-century.

'"Both heart-wrenching and hopeful, Eileen Harrison's story demonstrates that while policies of assimilation may have taken families from country and community, they could never take the memories that kept them connected." (Dr Anita Heiss, award-winning author and activist).' (From the publisher's website.)

'Memoir of a grassroots activist

'Cups with No Handles explores the battle women face between a public life and the demands of family. Bette had a vision of a better world and her activism was a model for women in following generations.

'Bette Boyanton, a woman who struggled to overcome the disadvantages of poverty, lack of education, inequality and poor health, became an inspiring social reformer and political activist.

'Born in the 1920s into a poor family of eleven children, Bette was determined not to follow in the footsteps of her exhausted and discouraged mother. Her father, an unemployed returned soldier and member of the Communist Party, inspired Bette with ideas of equality, fairness and social justice, but, having left school at thirteen, Bette worked in menial jobs and married young. She soon found herself on an isolated dairy farm, struggling with children just as her mother had. Still, she was always interested in politics, social change and workers’ rights. She joined the Party and became a friend of Frank and Ross Hardy (Power Without Glory). Working for women’s rights, she demonstrated, presented petitions, became a member of Women’s Electoral Lobby and was a founding member of Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres, part of a huge grassroots community movement focused on the empowerment of women through a philosophy of caring, sharing and new learning which opened up their horizons.' (Publication summary)