Cirrus@Austlit

Few people have studied the historical experiences of Aboriginal women in NSW, and the subject has generally had a low public profile. This book helps to change that.

The book is one of the outcomes of a project which maps Aboriginal women's heritage in two local landscapes - Nambucca and Nowra. Through oral history interviews, the book looks at the relationship between Aboriginal women and the coastal landscape of the Nambucca Valley. It focuses on the lives of nine local Aboriginal women elders, mapping the places in the local landscape that have been important to them.

By telling stories from their life, these Aboriginal women explain their role as custodians of an important part of Aboriginal traditional knowledge. The book maps their memories, stories, resource places and social places in detail. Source: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ (Sighted 09/07/2009)

Six Aboriginal women from the Port Stephens region of NSW contributed to this booklet, taking part in a Department of Environment and Conservation project designed to raise the profile of the historical experience of Aboriginal women along the coast of the state.

In this publication each woman talks about her life and growing up around Port Stephens. Their stories centre on Karuah and Soldiers Point near Nelson Bay. They describe living an idyllic existence where fishing, swimming and playing in the bush were everyday occurrences. They recount how their parents protected them from the realities of the outside world, keeping them safe during a time when the Aborigines Welfare Board was a constant threat to Aboriginal families.

Through their words we find out about the wonders of Port Stephens and how they worked with the sea and the land to survive. Perhaps the most powerful theme that connects all the women's stories is a sense of pride in their heritage and a love for their area. Each of the women tell of their achievements in life, their respect and love for their parents and their desire to raise awareness and respect for their heritage.

This book is the fifth in a series of publications focused on Aboriginal Women's Heritage across NSW. Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Nine Aboriginal women from the South Coast region of NSW contributed to this booklet, taking part in a Department of Environment and Conservation project designed to raise the profile of the historical experience of Aboriginal women along the coast of NSW.

The women in this publication recount their working lives and memories across the South coast landscape. Their stories centre on Wollongong, as each has a link or special connection there. They describe many aspects of life at Hill 60, and later at the 'Official Camps' in Port Kembla. Other stories describe their journeys as young women often involving several moves during childhood and employment in domestic service and the factories of Sydney.

Together the women tell of the support and sense of connection that united the Wollongong community. They describe their favourite places, where they played as children, where they fished, collected seafoods and bush tucker to help supplement the family's diet. What stands out is their strong connection to the area, to the places where they feel the presence of the people they have known and of their own loved ones, whose lives are forever.' -- Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Seven Aboriginal women from areas surrounding the Nepean River in Sydney's south west, contributed to this publication and took part in a project instigated by the Department in an effort to raise the profile of Aboriginal women in New South Wales.

The seven Aboriginal women in Aboriginal Women's Heritage: Nepean, tell their own life stories. They tell about the changes they have seen over the years, the chores they had to do when they were young, and the daily routines. They tell about growing their own fruit and vegetables and eating whatever they grew or caught to supplement the family's diet.' Source: Aboriginal Women's Heritage: Nepean (2007)

'Twelve Aboriginal Women from Cabbage Tree Island and Ballina have contributed to this publication and taken part in a Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water project designed to help raise the profile of the unique historical experience of Aboriginal women along the lower Richmond River.

In this publication each of the women reminisce about their childhood and about their working lives as domestic servants and factory workers in the inner city suburbs of Brisbane and Sydney. Their accounts describe the community spirit found between the various families that once lived on the island during a time when life was hard and limited for Aboriginal people. They describe their favourite places and activities and the way times have changed.' Source: Aboriginal Women's Heritage: Ballina and Cabbage Tree Island (2007)