Edie Wright Edie Wright i(A65994 works by) (a.k.a. Edith Maralyn Wright )
Born: Established: 1954 Broome, Kimberley area, North Western Australia, Western Australia, ;
Gender: Female
Heritage: Aboriginal ; Aboriginal Bardi
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.

BiographyHistory

Edie Wright's ancestors were taken from Queensland and relocated in the Kimberley in the early 1900s. Wright was educated at Derby High School and St Brigid's College at Lesmurdie. She continued her studies to complete a Bachelor of Education degree and in 2002 was the principal of the Wangkatjungka remote community school. Her family comes from the north of Western Australia in the early 1900s, and before that, from northern Queensland.

In 1990, she founded Magabala Books, based in Broome in far north Western Australia. Magabala, which has released more the 200 books by 2018, is recognised as one of Australia's most respected small publishing houses and the most prominent Indigenous publishing company in the country.

Most Referenced Works

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Charlie's Swim Broome : Magabala Books , 2022 23948387 2022 single work picture book children's historical fiction

'During WWII after the Japanese invasion of Java, more than 1000 refugees from the Dutch East Indies, many in flying boats, passed through Broome, which was a major refuelling point and a significant Allied military base. On 3 March 1942 Broome was attacked by Japanese fighter planes, killing at least 88 civilians and Allied military personnel.

'Charlie’s Swim is based on the true story of the author’s Uncle Charlie (Charles D’Antoine) who was working inside a flying boat when the attack began. In the midst of flying bullets, blazing fires and sharks, Charlie saw a woman and child desperately trying to keep afloat and without hesitation went to their rescue.

'In 1944, Charlie was awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Royal Humane Society of Australasia in recognition of his efforts and he was awarded four medals for bravery from the Dutch government. It took a further 80 years for the Australian government and military to formally recognise this bravery.' (Publication summary)

2023 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Notable Book Eve Pownall Award
Last amended 30 Jul 2018 15:39:19
Other mentions of "" in AustLit:
    X