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Australia is a continent so far removed from the rest of the world that few artists or names ever make it past the great coral reef. Fortunately, there is a substantial pool of talent to be found in the Outback, and a good deal of it comes from the Aboriginal tribes who make up the heart of the Land Downunder.
Aboriginal writing is intrinsically important to bringing formerly tribe-exclusive stories and insights to the rest of the world. Sally Morgan, born in 1951, took the world by storm with her popular book My Place, which is a detailed biography of her previously hidden family history in the roots of the Palku people. Alexis Wright, born in 1950, is best known for her novel Carpentaria, which won the Miles Franklin Award for the best Australian-themed novel or literary work of 2006. The book details the interconnected stories of residents of the fictional town Desperance, and highlights the struggles between natives and “white men” as one of the story’s main axis.
Jimmy Chi, born in 1948, is an acclaimed playwright, composer, and musician. His works are sharply witty, and generally convey a very pointed approach to politics and life alike. His musical Corrugation Road broke Australian box offices with its direct and humorous approach to taboo subjects such as religion, sexuality, and mental health. Kim Scott, a novelist and descendant of the Nyoongar people, was the first person of Aboriginal descent to win the Miles Franklin Award with his book Benang in 2000.
Ruth Hegarty takes a different approach with her literature, preferring to detail instead the nonfiction tale of her own journey as one of the Stolen Generation. The Stolen Generation is the name for the group of Aboriginal and Islander children who were removed from their families in the period of time from 1869 to 1969. Hegarty’s books are poignantly moving, and provide a well of insight into a reality that most of the world did not know existed at the time. Richard Frankland is another such champion of the Aboriginal cause – his extensive work as a scriptwriter, musician, and playwright is unafraid of political confrontation and openly questions how the native peoples of Australia are treated to this day.
While Australia at first glance may seem to be little more than an extensive, beautiful country to visit, it is important to remember what lies beneath the veneer of tourism including travel arrangements, such as finding a Sydney Car Rental, Perth Car Rental, or Melbourne Car Rental. The culture is rich and steeped in many, many years of legend, story, and the human experience. It is thanks to individuals such as the talented ones aforementioned that we too can share in the experience of Australia’s history.
For more information on the Aboriginal authors of Australia, please feel free to peruse the links below.
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