AustLit logo

AustLit

Max Harrison Max Harrison i(A109147 works by) (a.k.a. Max Dulumunmun Harrison; Djarla Dulumunmun)
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal Yuin ; Aboriginal
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

Works By

Preview all
1 y separately published work icon Gurawul the Whale : An Ancient Story for Our Time Max Harrison , Laura La Rosa (illustrator), Broome : Magabala Books , 2023 25774085 2023 single work picture book Indigenous story

'‘When I was 10 years old, I was given Gurawul’s story by my grandfather Muns…in the dirt…they made me promise to go to the southern land and search for the whale dreaming. I had no idea what it meant or that it would take me 70 years to keep it.’ — Uncle Max Harrison

'More than 70 years ago, the ancient legend of Gurawul the whale was passed down to Yuin Elder Uncle Max Dulumunmun Harrison by his grandfather and uncles. He promised them that one day he would travel to the southern land, Tasmania, and search for the whale dreaming of their Ancestors.

'This exquisitely illustrated book tells the story of Uncle Max’s journey to fulfil that promise, and how he eventually came face to face with Gurawul.

'Filled with important cultural knowledge and personal stories, Uncle Max sadly died before Gurawul could be published, and his family are continuing his legacy to show how science is finally beginning to catch up with these ‘old blackfella’ stories.' (Publication summary)
1 Thanking Grandfather Sun i "Thank you for your light,", Max Harrison , 2009 single work poetry
— Appears in: My People's Dreaming : An Aboriginal Elder Speaks on Life, Land, Spirit and Forgiveness 2009; (p. 43)
1 In Memory of Those Gone by i "Where are the faces that once smiled with pride", Max Harrison , 2009 single work poetry
— Appears in: My People's Dreaming : An Aboriginal Elder Speaks on Life, Land, Spirit and Forgiveness 2009; (p. 4)
2 3 y separately published work icon My People's Dreaming : An Aboriginal Elder Speaks on Life, Land, Spirit and Forgiveness Max Harrison , Sydney : Finch , 2009 Z1648413 2009 single work life story (taught in 3 units) 'The teachings I reveal in this book are the living treasures of my life. The traditional knowledge I talk about includes Creation Dreaming, bush lore, foods and healing, laws and punishment, spirituality and relationship to the land. These are some of the things taught to me by my teachers, my masters. And I will never forget them. They made me look at the Mother with ancient eyes. Not mine. But with ancient eyes and now it is my turn to pass on what I know.' Source: My People's Dreaming: An Aboriginal Elder Speaks on Life, Land, Spirit and Forgiveness (2009)
1 Goolaguls : Points in the Landscape to Avoid Vincent Bulger , Eddie Foster , Max Harrison , Ernest Wighton , John Mumbulla , Margaret Tucker , Peter Kabaila (interviewer), 2005 single work oral history
— Appears in: High Country Footprints : Aboriginal Pathways and Movement in the High Country of Southeastern Australia, Recognising the Ancient Paths Beside Modern Highways 2005; (p. 91-94)
1 Healing Max Harrison , 2003 single work life story
— Appears in: Elders : Wisdom from Australia's Indigenous Leaders 2003; (p. 1, 9)
1 Max Harrison Max Harrison , Lee Chittick (interviewer), 1997 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Travelling with Percy : A South Coast Journey 1997; (p. 125-131)
X