Books

This is a collection of our books

All my Country

The Batchelor Institute Art Collection

All my Country is the first substantive book on the little-known Batchelor Institute (BIITE) Art Collection, a unique cultural and artistic resource which has developed over the decades-long life of the Institute. The BIITE Art Collection comprises around 1000 artworks primarily by Indigenous artists from the Top End but also including the work of Indigenous Australian artists more broadly, some non-Indigenous artists with BIITE affiliations, and from Papua New Guinea.

Bornorron Warrag

Brolga and Catfish

Bornorron Warrag is a Wardaman story as told by Sally Wiynmarr of how the catfish (warrag) got the mark on its head in an encounter with the brolga (bornorron). It is a story relating to a particular area of Wardaman country on the Flora River which is the country of Sally's father, the late Joe Jomornji. The Flora River (about 120km southwest of Katherine) is famous for its emerald-coloured waters which are fed by many springs which come up through limestone rock which is what gives the river its rich colour. 

Buwaray Raykurayku Gälpu Dhäruk

Gälpu Word Book

Also known as the Gälpu Word Book, this Shepherdson College, Literature Production Centre publication represents almost three decades in the making, instigated largely through the pioneering work of the book's primary author, the late Ganyinurru Gurruwiwi (1952-2002). Since her passing the book's progress was overseen by members of Ganyinurru's family working alongside staff from Shepherdson College (Galiwin'ku / Elcho Island) and linguist Dr Melanie Wilkinson.

Ngulajuku!

Tiger's story of how Nyirrpi came to be

This wonderfully illustrated book in Warlpiri and English is based on an interview with the late Tiger Japaljarri Morris, an interview initially conducted by Fiona Napaljarri Gibson in 2001 as part of a Warlpiri research project consulting elders and community members about their thoughts on language and education. Some 20-odd years later the humour and wisdom of Tiger's insights are brought to life through the work of Fiona Gibson and Angela Harrison for the Institute's Centre for Aboriginal Languages and Linguistics (CALL).

Dhawun Ngamingami-lda-nha

Looking After Country

Dhawun Ngamingami-lda-nha (Looking After Country) is a children's book in Gamilaraay and English which addresses the environmental impact of feral animals in Australia. The book is the work of first-time published author Merinda Walters, a Gamilaraay artist and educator who developed the concept as part of her environmental science degree. Darby is Merinda's young Gamilaraay guide who informs the reader about the threat of cane toads, feral pigs, feral cats, yellow crazy ants and many other dhii gagil (bad animals), and what to do if you come across them.

Songlines

Stories from Yarrabah and beyond

Songlines, Stories from Yarrabah and beyond brings together lyrics, related commentary and images reflecting author Barry Cedric's work as a singer/songwriter and educator. Cedric, who hails from Yarrabah, in Goongandji country, Far North Queensland, takes us on a journey through songs from the 1980s to the present day. It's a journey rich with poetry, politics and poignant messages about life as an Indigenous person in Queensland and more broadly in Australia.

Moort

A celebration of a traditional and contemporary Aboriginal family system

Moort is the latest scholarly publication to emerge from the Kurongkurl Katitjin, Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research, Edith Cowan University, Perth. Combining Aboriginal (particularly Nyoongar) and Western perspectives both through its authorship and research, Moort provides an in-depth account of the survival and dynamism of Nyoongar family-related and cultural practices in the face of colonisation and subsequent government policies relating to Indigenous Australians.

Miwal ga Djambuwal

Spirit Woman and Spirit Boy

Miwal ga Djambuwal is a story from the Marrangu Djinang people of Central Arnhem Land which tells the travels of a Spirit Woman (Miwal) and a Spirit Boy (Djambuwal) through Marrangu Djinang country, naming places, looking for sugarbag, hunting frill-necked lizard, and meeting other Spirit figures such as the Djangkawu Sisters who play a central role in Yolngu mythology. Featuring original illustrations by the book's author, Stanley Rankin, this version is presented in Djinang and English languages and includes a word list.

A Kriol elfabet frieze based on the Kriol Sound Chart poster (http://batchelorpress.com/node/387) recently updated and developed with the Meigim Kriol Strongbala program in the Ngukkur community, NT. The frieze is laminated both sides for extra durability and measures almost five metres in length and approx. 20 centimetres high. It comes packaged in a custom, stickered tube. A handsome addition to the Kriol learning classroom or for those with an interest in Top End Aboriginal languages. The frieze is also complemented by a set of Kriol elfabet flaschards (sold separately): http://batchelorpress.com/node/400 Image shown is a detail.      

Mookanunganuk

Selected poems by Mooradoop Kathy Mills

Kathy Mills OAM (1936-2022) was a well-known Aboriginal elder in the NT and beyond, acclaimed for her work across many areas of social justice and as a writer. This work is the first published anthology of Kathy's poetry which brings together 40 unpublished and previously published poems through five categories: Culture, Family/Personal, Women, Politics and Tributes. The title Mookanunganuk pays tribute to Kathy's Kungarakany heritage and refers to the Kungarakany concept of life cycle and ecological balance as symbolised by the waterlily.

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