Strangers on Country

by Dave Hartley

Giom, Anco and Duramboi are the names of just three young shipwreck survivors and convict escapees who were given refuge by Indigenous communities during the nineteenth century. No one knows exactly how many received sustenance from the local people, but there are some documented accounts of these experiences. Strangers on Country includes the stories of six Europeans and the people who cared for them.

To Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the first castaways and runaway convicts that arrived in their homes must have appeared pretty scary. The strangers didn’t speak their language and didn’t understand their ways, but they were desperately in need of refuge. Despite their fears, the Indigenous hosts often treated the lost strangers with kindness, taking pity on them and giving them food and shelter. When they returned to live among white people, the castaways and convicts spoke fondly of the people who had rescued them.

Based on historical records each story in this book is told through two historical fiction narratives. The first is from the point of view of an Indigenous person who befriends the stranger in their land. The second is from the point of view of the castaway or convict who is given refuge. At the end of each chapter, there is a section of facts and information. Too often Australian history is told only from the point of view of the Europeans who sailed here from across the world.

Richly illustrated and drawing on the extensive collections of the National Library of Australia, Strangers on Country will inspire young readers to think about how all Australians today can learn from traditional Indigenous ways of thinking and doing. When we listen to and understand others, work with people, instead of doing things to people, then we can all begin to adopt the wise ways of the past.

This book was inspired by and based on Living with the Locals: Early Europeans’ Experience of Indigenous Life by John Maynard and Victoria K. Haskins.

Genres: Australia, Nonfiction, Survival, History, Historical, Indigenous

124 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2020

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unforgettable book, extraordinarily written and illustrated. The sensitivity and skill of the authors and illustrator are boundless. These are heart-rending accounts, based on the historical records, of the lives of some of our First Nation peoples and some of the early settlers and convicts they encountered.
It is astounding how early in settlement history these encounters were and how disastrous they were in the end, through no fault of the featured people. The research conducted is eye-opening, and is then powerfully brought to life by beautiful imaginative layers of story and illustration, where the essence of those long-ago human lives is captured. Furthermore, many actual historical images are contained in the book, as well as Dub Leffler's beautiful illustrations, and they give extraordinary insights.
Their stories will stay with the reader for a very long time.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I applaud the idea behind this book, which is to ensure indigenous perspectives are included in Australia's history since white settlement. Based on the forward and introduction, I was then surprised to see how quick each story was. I guess they were kept so short as the authors wanted to stay within the small amount of factual information available to them from their original sources. On the other hand, there was more factual information than I expected included in this book for readers to see what we know about the lives of these characters, both indigenous and white.

Overall, this provides a fascinating insight into the interactions between our First Nations people and some white people who came to live with them for a time. It provides glimpses of their way of life and unfortunately the tragedy and violence that accompanied the arrival of white settlers to this land. Highly recommended.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting combination of fact and fiction to relate true stories of early encounters of stranded white people on northern Australia’s shores during early ‘settlement’ days. 5 stories, based on historical records present an indigenous voice recounting the tribe’s first encounter with a white survivor and the way each is adopted into the tribe to learn the ways and customs of each group. This followed by a recount, informed by primary sources to present the rescued person’s perspective. This is followed by a factual account and interpretation of pf the historical records.
The book starts with a map highlighting the locations of the 5 tribes in Queensland and ends with an illustrated glossary of local fauna and flora. Presentation is excellent with glossy pages, nicely spaced text, illustrations and images of some documents and paintings from the time.

There is a subtext to this book that presents each indigenous community as settled, with social structures and codes of behaviour. There are references to farming and permanent fishing practices, and aggressive behaviour and theft of land by the settlers - although not stated, invasion and conquest is implied. A prior reading of Pascoe’s Young Dark Emu would help young readers make these connections.
The structure of each story results in repetition,which is a shame, as the intent and overall idea is excellent.

[Gaby Meares · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are all familiar with the idiom 'before you judge a person, walk a mile in their shoes'. Strangers on Country does exactly that. We view five first encounters and what follows through the eyes of an Indigenous person and a European person. We are then given the the facts as they have been recorded.
It's impossible not to relate to both sides of the story. This is a brilliant book that should be read by all Australians, both young and old. It's beautifully illustrated, and includes a map, glossary and notes on resources.
The most important skill we can hope to teach our children is empathy; this book is all about empathy and seeing a story from all perspectives. It would be an invaluable resource for the classroom and a worthy addition to all school libraries and children's libraries.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great opportunity to look at stories of interaction during early colonial Australia between white settlers (or shipwrecked people who ended up there) and native people. Each story is based on true encounters, and each story is broken down as each side tells it from their view. Of course, a lot of liberties were taken, but it was a great attempt to show how both groups might have been thinking during these strange situations. Then, the true facts are recounted so the reader can learn more about the characters from each vignette.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique book featuring historical narratives showing the perspectives of First Nations people and the colonisers during real-life occurrences of First Nations people helping and caring for Europeans. Each chapter contains the story from the two perspectives as well as factual information about the event.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and ever so profound

I cannot recommend this book enough