‘The Three Brothers’ – artwork by Marcus Ferguson

· Australia’s Black History ·

‘It’s like we’ve each got a piece of the puzzle but Trotter’s got them all and put them into a book.’

Australia’s Black History

Think you know your Australian history? Think again.

Australia’s Black History is a novel series like no other. Weaving history and myth together it retells the story of the impact of British colonisation on the Nyangbal people of modern day Ballina.

The first book, ‘The Magpie and the Snake’, introduces readers to the world of the Gurii people prior to colonisation. We meet the heroes, the lovers, Balagaan and Gawngan, and Dangan, their nemesis, who feature in traditional Bundjalung stories. They play out an age-old moral tale at an incredibly significant setting, called Bullinaa, where a massive oyster festival is held.

The second book, ‘Gawngan and the Marriage Tree’ is a tale about women’s business, showing the incredible strength and determination of the Aboriginal dubays from Bullinaa.

The last book, ‘Savages’, is a truth telling of a massacre as dreadful as the one at Myall Creek, told through the eyes of the Balagaan and Gawngan, and Balagaan’s nemesis, Dangan, who is forced to be a black tracker for the Native Police.

‘The Coming of the Yiraallii’ 

The complete Australia’s Black History series in one book!

It includes:

• ‘The Magpie and the Snake’
• ‘Gawngan and the Marriage Tree’
• ‘Savages’

Readers 15+

Available December 2024!

Prefer a bookshop? We’ve got you covered.

Bookshops

• The Book Room Byron Bay
• The Book Room Lennox Head
• Boardwalk Books Kingscliff
• Ballina Visitor Information Center
• Can’t see your book shop? No problem. Books can be ordered through any bookshop.

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