Cirrus@Austlit

'The author relates the highlights of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's delivery of apology to Indigenous peoples at the Parliament House. She says that as the prime minister read the apology, sadness and regret had surrounded them while some people sobbed quietly. After the speech, several political leaders approached the members of the Stolen Generations. A photo essay which documents the event is presented.' (Publication abstract)

'This book is in the family history genre and, contrary to the title’s initial impression, is a history of the Nyungar Hayward family through the eyes of the author, Eric Hayward. While the family’s story will resonate with many Indigenous families, No Free Kicks: Family, community and football is more than a family history and, as such, it stands apart from the more usual Indigenous family histories.' (Introduction)

'The Dharawal Country is bounded by the south of Botany Bay, the Georges River, Appin, Goulburn and the coastal lands down to Wreck Bay near Nowra. The publication of this book is an important community milestone. Les Bursill and Mary Jacobs, in collaboration with artist Deborah Lennis, and with the community representation of Merv Ryan and the recently deceased and muchrespected elder Beryl Timbery-Beller, have provided a valuable summary of local Dharawal culture, kinship and totemic relationships, women’s business, men’s business, body decoration, habitats, music, dance, oral tradition and art styles. There is also a section on Dharawal charcoal drawings of extinct thylacines in southern Sydney.' (Introduction)

'Families are important, our centre from which support, guidance and leadership are culturally transmitted from person to person, through generation to generation. Samantha Faulkner uses the life of her grandfather, Ali Drummond, to explore — through her relationships with near and extended families — these connections in her own life to her roots in the Torres Strait and those she has established on the mainland. Throughout this book, the cultural connections and reflections on family remain strong.' (Introduction)

'Les Hiatt was the doyen of the Australian anthropological community, held in high regard by anthropologists both here and abroad. His sudden and unexpected death in London on 12 February 2008 came as a great shock to his many friends and colleagues' (Introduction)

'I have seen several emails about the quality of Les Hiatt obituaries and have read the Malcolm Brown piece in the Sydney Morning Herald of 21 February 2008. A truly fine colour photo of Les — older, reflecting, ruminating and, the shirt notwithstanding, looking like the eternal farmer staring down the perpetual drought. I will keep the cutting, and so will others, even though the Brown text is more narrative than inquisitive.'  (Introduction)