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First Australians

Published by Miegunyah Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

First Australians is the dramatic story of the collision of two worlds that created contemporary Australia. Told from the perspective of Australia's first people, it vividly brings to life the events that unfolded when the oldest living culture in the world was overrun by the world's greatest empire.
Seven of Australia's leading historians reveal the true stories of individuals-both black and white-caught in an epic drama of friendship, revenge, loss and victory in Australia's most transformative period of history.
Their story begins in 1788 in Warrane, now known as Sydney, with the friendship between an Englishman, Governor Phillip, and the kidnapped warrior Bennelong. It ends in 1992 with Koiki Mabo's legal challenge to the foundation of Australia.
By illuminating a handful of extraordinary lives spanning two centuries, First Australians reveals, through their eyes, the events that shaped a new nation.
Note: This is the unillustrated version of First Australians.

About The Authors

Rachel Perkins is a filmmakers with a thirty year career that spans documentary, TV drama series, telemovies and feature films. She recently directed Mystery Road, a six part one hour series starring Judy Davis and Aaron Pedersen. Previous to that she directed the feature films Jasper Jones, the tele-movie Mabo, the musical hit Bran Nue Dae, the innovative musical One night the Moon and Radiance. Her other television work includes multiple episodes of the award winning Redfern Now. In 2009 she completed the landmark documentary series First Australians on which Marcia Langton was the senior advisor. She founded Blackfella Films, Australia’s leading creator of Indigenous screen content, in 1992. Rachel lives between Sydney and Alice Springs, the traditional lands of her people, the Arrernte nation.

Professor Marcia Langton AO is a granddaughter of Yiman and Bidjara people in Queensland where she was born and raised. She is qualified as an anthropologist and geographer, and since 2000 has held the Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne, and since 2017, has held the role of Associate Provost.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Miegunyah Press (January 1, 2010)
  • Length: 312 pages
  • ISBN13: 9780522857269

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