Congratulations to Dr Anita Heiss (Communication and Arts) and Professor Felicity Meakins (Languages and Cultures) who are finalists in the Courier-Mail People's Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award.
Part of the Queensland Literary Awards, they recognise an outstanding book of fiction or non-fiction by a Queensland author.
Dr Heiss was nominated for her novel Dirrayawadha, a sweeping, epic historical First Nations novel of love, passion, revenge, dispossession, war and truth-telling centred on the Wiradyuri people that highlights Indigenous language and acknowledges humans’ desire to connect.
In-depth research emphasises the fearlessness and courage of significant Aboriginal figures and this story gives an important perspective on Australia’s history.
Professor Meakins’ book Bina - First Nations Languages, Old and New was co-authored by Gari Tudor-Smith and Paul Williams and is an indispensable guide to the state of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages today.
While the book is informed by high scholarly expertise in the most ancient of tongues, it also manages to convey the linguistic vitality, resourcefulness, and creativity of First Nations people into the present.
The winner of these awards is determined by public vote, with voting now open via the State Library website until 5pm on Tuesday 16 September.
