Uncle Wayne Atkinson shared a song with guests before talking about his book.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
On Wednesday, October 15 the Dharnya Centre hosted an on-Country launch of Uncle Wayne Atkinson’s book, Beyond the Meeting of the Waters: A Yorta Yorta Life Story.
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Written by Uncle Wayne with the help of his wife, Catherine Guinness, the book is a memoir that follows the story of Uncle Wayne’s life — his youth, his elders and his advocacy work.
While the book was officially published last month, the event held special meaning as the launch took place on Uncle Wayne’s traditional lands.
A smoking ceremony led by Uncle Ralph Hume was held to open the event before guests made their way into the Dharnya Centre to hear from its guest speakers.
Uncle Robert Nicholls spoke about his relationship with Uncle Wayne and the history of the Yorta Yorta people.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Yorta Yorta elders Uncle Leon Atkinson and Uncle Robert Nicholls shared a few words on the day about the Yorta Yorta people’s rich history and their relationship with Uncle Wayne.
Guests also heard from Andrea James, a proud Yorta Yorta and Kunai woman, who was mentored by Uncle Wayne Atkinson during their time together at La Trobe University.
Ms James said he had been a major inspiration throughout her life and writing career.
“I’m just one of the thousands of students who’ve been encouraged and mentored by Uncle Wayne,” she said.
“What an amazing achievement this book is. I read it from cover to cover. I would go home and in my bed, and I would just be so soothed by it, fired up, and wanted to punch pillows a few times.
“It’s like a timeline of cultural practice and political activism throughout the ages ... that speaks so truthfully to our national and international experiences and ambitions as First Nations people in such a heartfelt way.”
About 80 guests gathered at the Dharnya Centre to celebrate the launch of Uncle Wayne’s new book.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Both Uncle Wayne and Mrs Guinness also addressed the audience to speak about bringing together the book and what the book meant to them.
Uncle Wayne said the book was both a dedication to all those who had fought for justice and a reminder that there was still more work to be done.
“It was important to bring it back home to launch,” he said.
“This book is dedicated to the Yorta Yorta fighters for justice, those who have walked for us, those who walk beside us, and those who will carry the spear of the pen and the power of the voice into the future.
“This book is also a call to action. It is a reminder that the struggle for justice, land rights and self-determination is far from over.”
To conclude the launch, guests were invited to enjoy a shared lunch and to purchase a copy of the book from the Collins Booksellers stall that was on site.
Guests were enraptured as they listened to Uncle Wayne.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Uncle Leon Atkinson was among the day’s speakers.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Guests participated in a smoking ceremony to open the event.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
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