Books

To date, Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Inc has produced 6 bi-lingual (Noongar and English) picture books. These are available via UWA Publishing.Follow the links below to listen to each story and view accompanying illustrations.

Information about the development of these books – with some hopefully forgivable repetition – can be found in the Press section of our website. The Interviews section also has examples of other stories told by key Wirlomin individuals.

Some of the books are newly composed stories, and some are developed from the book, Kayang and Me (Fremantle Press 2005) – co-authored by two of our founders, Hazel Brown and Kim Scott – and the still-growing archive that book initiated. Many are versions of significant old stories from the south coast region of Western Australia between east of Esperance and Cape Riche, and include those developed by workshopping archival material – particularly the Gerhardt Laves 1931 Noongar field notes – with community members who have genealogical and social connection to the archival informants.

The stories, along with the songs and other material showcased on this site, are part of cultural renewal work undertaken by Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories since around 2000. As such, they originate in the environment and experience of generations of south coast Noongar. Certain stories may well be intended for a restricted audience, but those we offer here have been enjoyed by Noongar men, women and children as part of maintaining and strengthening connection between community and Country.

Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Inc was formed in 2007, and has received assistance from various arts, reseach and environmental organisations. The most recent support has come from the Australian Research Council for a project called, Demi Kaditjiny May – Narrative, Technologies and Wirlomin Moorditj-abiny.

More information about Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories can be found here.