A CHILDREN’S book rich in local indigenous culture will be launched as part of NAIDOC Week.
Annie’s Story: Growing up Strong on Boandik Country is written and produced by Aunty Michelle Jacquelin-Furr as a tribute to her great grandmother Annie Brice.
The legacy to Annie’s life showcases the Boandik country as a land steeped in dreaming stories, hunting, gathering, cultural protocols and traditional ways of living.
“My great grandmother was born around 1849 at an Aboriginal campsite in Penola,” Aunty Michelle said.
“Her mother was a full blood Boandik woman from Mount Gambier and her father a freed convict from Van Dieman’s land who worked at the Cameron Sheep Station.”
Annie was taught to read and write under the guidance of Alexander Cameron’s niece, who arrived from Melbourne in 1860.
Cameron’s niece became the governess to her cousins in Penola and encouraged Annie to join in with the classroom schooling.
Alexander Cameron’s niece and Annie’s teacher was to become Saint Mary MacKillop.
The book is a collation of localised photographs, which allows Annie to take readers on a visual journey.
Perfect for children, families and educators, the photographs provide an emotional connection to the area, with the story giving meaning and culture to our region.
Not only does Annie’s Story focus on local indigenous culture, but it also preserves the language.
While written in English, each page also has a QR code for readers to hear the story spoken in Bunganditj.
The NAIDOC theme for 2018 is “Because of her, we can!”, which celebrates the invaluable contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made and continue to make to our communities, families, rich history and nation.
“I believe this is the perfect time to celebrate Annie Brice growing up strong on Boandik country,” Aunty Michelle said.
The book will be launched at the Main Corner on Monday evening at 6pm.
