LEONIE NORRINGTON
Award-winning Australian author Leonie Norrington was born in Darwin and grew up on a remote Indigenous community community, in Central Arnhemland.
In the early 1970s Leonie returned
with her family to Darwin in far north Australia where she still lives, on a
small farm surrounded by bushland.
Leonie has worked as a hairdresser, farm hand, nurseryman, fruitpicker and works
fulltime as a journalist and a writer of both fiction and non-fiction.
She started writing for children after the birth of her grandson Sean, she wanted to show him that Aboriginal people and white people can and do live together in respect and trust, despite their cultural differences, and has since then achieved both solid success and awards as an author.
Besides books for children, she has written Womans Talk, a collection of conversations with Territory women, Under the Mango Three, a collection of stories involving elderly Indigenous people and Tropical Gardens, a book about growing fruit, vegetables and herbs, in northern Australia.
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS:
HONOUR BOOK - BOOK OF THE YEAR:
YOUNGER READER, CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA, FOR THE BARRUMBI KIDS
(2003).
NSW PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARDS, SHORT LISTED, PATRICIA WRIGHTSON PRISE, FOR THE
BARRUMBI KIDS (2003).
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PREMIER'S PRIZE IN 2005
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PREMIER'S AWARD 2004
TITLES
THE BARRUMBI KIDS
(Novel, Age 12+, Gosford, N.S.W. : Scholastic, 2002)
Set in outback Northern Territory,
this humorous tale of friendship between Tomias, an Aboriginal boy and Dale, his
Non-Aboriginal mate, relates the many exciting and dangerous adventures they
share, aware that the impending completion of their primary schooling will bring
many changes for them both.
This is a thought-provoking novel that crosses cultures and immerses readers in
the boys' adventures. Characters are well developed and appealing and the plot
provides many interesting and genuine experiences. It promotes effective
discussion of sensitive issues relating to cultural differences.
Rights available in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the US.
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THE SPIRIT OF BARRUMBI
(Novel, Age 12+, Norwood, S. Aust. : Scholastic Australia, 2003)
Set in the Northern Territory. Dale,
while camping at Barrumbi, has a disturbing dream about his older brother, Sean
and wakes to see Sean creeping away from the campsite. When it is time for the
family to leave, Sean cannot be found, but they are forced to leave because of
the risk of being flooded in.
Back at their remote community, Dale's family wait anxiously to hear news of
Sean. Sean has strayed into a sacred Aboriginal place and his actions affect
everyone in the community, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. The wet hits and
wreaks havoc, two of the children nearly drown and tensions rise as people blame
Sean for the calamitous events. When Sean eventually returns he is a changed
person.
This is an attractively-presented novel with an eye-catching cover and 24
well-linked chapters. A map at the front of the book assists the reader to
picture the Long Hole community. The author also provides a short list of Mayali
and 'non-Mayali' words used by members of the community.
The Spirit of Barrumbi is a highly-readable novel full of adventure and lively
dialogue. It effectively portrays the complexities of living in two cultures -
the traditional Aboriginal and the contemporary world. The author uses code
switching/mixing to good effect to illustrate how the younger people of the
community need to be proficient in Australian Standard English but also use the
language of the elders. Aboriginal cultural issues are dealt with sensitively
including the importance of land and place, and the novel provides students with
an opportunity to extend their understanding of Aboriginal communities.
Rights available in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the US.
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THE LAST MUSTER
(Novel, Age 13+, Norwood, S. Aust. : Scholastic, 2004)
Shane and Red are teenagers living
on a station in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. They are happiest
when they are working outside and exploring the environment rather than studying
through distance education. Shane is the son of the station manager, and Red is
an Aboriginal girl whose grandfather was born on the station and worked as head
stockman for many years. Red and Shane discover new country when they pursue a
herd of wild horses led by a rogue stallion, which Shane is determined to
capture and have as his own horse. In the process of trying to catch the horse
Shane and Red become more aware of each other, learn about the legendary
Aboriginal fighter Pigeon/Jandamarra and the importance of country, family and
heritage.
The Last Muster will appeal to adolescents. There are many positive messages
about friendship and the impact of adversity in forging stronger links between
people.
Rights available in Norway,
Sweden, Denmark and the US.