Jackie Ferro Jackie Ferro i(10865164 works by)
Gender: Female
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

Works By

Preview all
1 y separately published work icon Brave Young Eagle Rhonda Collard-Spratt , Jackie Ferro , Rhonda Collard-Spratt (illustrator), Jackie Ferro (illustrator), Tingalpa : Boolarong Press , 2024 28844170 2024 single work picture book Indigenous story

'On Goonya-Wardu Country, Carnarvon, Western Australia, Walgathu the wedge-tailed eagle chick falls from his nest and then is scared to fly. The Nyingari zebra finch family take care of him. Walgathu goes in search of his  eagle family — in the sandhills, the water and the claypans.

'An ancient law is broken, and the Great Water Snake spirit causes a flood. Can Walgathu save his finch family?

'Through Brave Young Eagle, Book 4 in the Spirit of the Dreaming series, Yamatji-Noongar storyteller, artist and Stolen Generations survivor Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt shares the ancient language and culture of the  Yamatji people, and continues her healing journey. A story of love and belonging, Brave Young Eagle teaches us to believe in ourselves and follow our hearts.'  (Publication summary)
1 y separately published work icon Old Nana Quokka Rhonda Collard-Spratt , Jackie Ferro (illustrator), Moorooka : Boolarong Press , 2023 26058621 2023 single work picture book children's Indigenous story

'On the spiritual place of Wadjemup, Rottnest Island, tourists are injuring the animals and making them sick.

'It’s time to make a stand.

'In this Aboriginal Dreaming story, farting quokkas, dive-bombing seabirds and protesting snakes teach us how to look after our sacred land and its animals.

'Through Old Nana Quokka, Book 3 in the Spirit of the Dreaming series,Yamatji-Noongar Elder Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt shares the healing wisdom of her ancestors, and the importance of caring for Country.' (Publication summary)
1 y separately published work icon Bobtail’s Friend Rhonda Collard-Spratt , Jackie Ferro (illustrator), Tingalpa : Boolarong Press , 2022 24456637 2022 single work picture book children's

'Balharda the bobtail felt pretty in her necklace of wildflowers. But the Bidi-bidi butterflies laughed and said she was ugly. Who will be bobtail’s friend? In this Aboriginal Dreaming story, follow Balharda downriver from the desert to the sea and learn how words can hurt or heal, and how making friends can open up whole new worlds.

'Bobtail’s Friend is Book 2 in the Spirit of the Dreaming series. Yamatji-Noongar artist, storyteller and Stolen Generations survivor Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt shares vibrant images of Yamatji Country and words from the Wajarri and Nhanda languages of Western Australia as she teaches us to walk tall and proud in the skin we’re in.'  (Publication summary)
1 y separately published work icon Grandfather Emu Grandfather Emu : How the Kangaroo Got Her Pouch Rhonda Collard-Spratt , Jackie Ferro (illustrator), Tingalpa : Boolarong Press , 2021 21937397 2021 single work picture book children's

'Poor old Grandfather Emu can hardly walk or see. Of all the bush animals, who will lead old Weij to the creek for food and water? In this fun Aboriginal Dreaming story, children learn how Mother Yonga Kangaroo got her pouch, and the importance of taking the time to help.'

Source : publisher's blurb
1 Alice’s Daughter : Co-writing for Recognition, Recovery and Reconciliation Jackie Ferro , 2020 single work criticism
— Appears in: Le Simplegadi , no. 20 2020; (p. 10-19) 'In 1954, aged three, Rhonda Spratt was taken from her Aboriginal mother and placed on Carnarvon Native Mission in remote Western Australia. Growing up in the white world of chores and aprons, religious teachings and cruel beatings, Rhonda drew strength and healing from her mission brothers and sisters, her art, music and poetry, and her unbreakable bond with the Dreaming. In Rhonda’s own words: I lived my early years on a native mission in Western Australia – growing up without a mother’s love. I was always searching for my people’s language, dance, songs and stories. I went on to find some family, my culture, my identity and ultimately myself. In writing this book, I wanted to speak about what happened to us as a people, on a human level, through the eyes of a child (Collard-Spratt & Ferro 2017: xi).' (Introduction)
1 1 y separately published work icon Alice's Daughter : Lost Mission Child Rhonda Collard-Spratt , Jackie Ferro , Canberra : Aboriginal Studies Press , 2017 10865183 2017 single work autobiography

'‘My story is not about blame. It’s about sharing history that belongs to all of Australia. I needed a push, but I am happy to finally give little Rhonda a voice, so that my words will live on after I leave this world.’

'In 1954, aged three, Rhonda Collard-Spratt was taken from her Aboriginal family and placed on Carnarvon Native Mission, Western Australia. Growing up in the white world of chores and aprons, religious teachings and cruel beatings, Rhonda drew strength and healing from her mission brothers and sisters, her art, music and poetry, and her unbreakable bond with the Dreaming.

'Alice’s Daughter is the story of Rhonda’s search for culture and family as she faces violence, racism, foster families, and her father’s death in custody; one of the first deaths investigated as part of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

'Written in Rhonda’s distinctive voice, Alice’s Daughter is fearless, compelling and intimate reading. Coupled with her vibrant and powerful paintings and poetry, Rhonda’s is a journey of sadness, humour, resilience and ultimately survival.' (Publication summary)
X