2013 Magabala Australian Indigenous Diary
Magabala Books, 2012. ISBN 978 921248 73 3.
(All ages) Highly recommended. Diary. This stunning diary produced
by Magabala Books, is not just a diary, but a compendium of
fascinating insights, bits of information, arresting photography and
art works, all bound together in a hard cover spiral bound book that
can be leafed through out of interest, used as a weekly diary and
then kept as a reference for years to come.
Beginning with the covers and endpapers, the book brims over with
art work. The covers featuring Freddie Timms' painting will stop
people in their tracks, picking up the book where they see it to
admire the bold work. Inside, the work of Edwin Lee Mulligan is
featured and the back endpaper has a fold out map of the language
groups of Indigenous Australia, a boon for anyone wanting to know
the extent Aboriginal Australia before European settlement.
Each double page spread shows a week of days, and significant days
in the Indigenous calendar are highlighted. At the top of the page
is a Moment from History, which gives a snippet of information about
Indigenous History. So we can find out about the 1963 eviction of
people in Far North Queensland or the walk off at Wave Station in
1966, as well as significant days such as the day Uluru was handed
back on October 26, 1985. Each time a page is opened, new
information appears, making this far more than a diary. Each month
begins with the beautiful photography by Wayne Quilliam and
art work by a range of Indigenous artists, with notes telling the
reader about the photographer and artist. The art work is then
reprised on the edges of the pages for that month, reminding the
user again of the work at the beginning of the month. At the top of
each verso page is the month with the months before and after for
reference.
The last few pages of the diary are committed to outlining the
protocols used in preparing the diary and then information about he
Arts and Culture of Indigenous Australia, making this a worthwhile
addition to a school library, something to treasure for yourself or
give as a gift. A glossary of some terms is followed by
information about he artist, Wayne Quilliam and references to other
artworks used in the dairy.
This lovely book is far more than a diary, it is a useful, up to
date albeit brief, reference of Indigenous culture, illustrated with
some outstanding works by contemporary artists and filled with
pieces of information that will attract the attention of the user.
Fran Knight