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Alexander Brown Alexander Brown i(A80077 works by) (a.k.a. Sandy Brown)
Born: Established: Jan 1930 ; Died: Ceased: 2010
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal
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BiographyHistory

'Alexander 'Sandy' Brown was born in a bough shade on De Gray Station. As a boy he learned the Ngarla, Nyamal, and Coastal Nyangmarta languages, the niceties and intricacies of their cultures, and all the Aboriginal knowledge and skills of bush living. He also learned many station skills.'

In 1949 Brown joined a 'droving team, taking cattle from Ethel Creek to Meekatharra' after which he moved further south and 'did seasonal work in the south-west of Western Australia...He has also lived and worked in South Australia, Melbourne, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and New South Wales.

Brown 'returned to the Pilbara in 1970, worked on Mulyie Station for a while, and then worked with the Headland Town Council until his retirement in January 1995. He learned to read and write in 1984, and has been recording aspects of his language and culture ever since.' Source: Ngarla Songs 2003

Most Referenced Works

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Ngarla Songs Fremantle : Fremantle Press Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre , 2003 Z1091225 2003 anthology lyric/song biography essay

'Ngarla Songs is a unique bilingual presentation of sixty-eight anecdotal songs composed by Ngarla people. They describe the thrill of the hunt, the wonder of whales and other events and life experiences as seen through Ngarla eyes.

...These cameos of everyday life in the Pilbara have been written down, translated and recorded in English. Alexander Brown and Brian Geytenbeek have worked together for ten years to capture the wit, wisdom and vibrancy expressed in these songs.' (Source: Fremantle Press website)

2005 winner Australian Centre Literary Awards The Kate Challis RAKA Award Poetry
2003 shortlisted Western Australian Premier's Book Awards Poetry
2004 winner Brencorp Prize for Poetry
Last amended 31 Mar 2011 14:38:59
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