'Going to the Footy' is a quality, square, 20-page illustrated book for babies and toddlers. Instead of being a simple collection of words and pictures around the common theme of transport, for example, “Boat… car… bike”, this book depicts all the ways Tiwi Islanders can travel to their beloved Aussie Rules football games. These include via plane, barge and tinny.
The illustrations are figurative and a contemporary version of traditional Tiwi art. The cute little figures within the vehicles provide gentle humour. They look delighted to be attending the footy — or what the author, in an interview, smilingly calls a “religion” for Tiwi Islanders. The author/illustrator is a Tiwi woman from Pirlangimpi Community on Melville Island.
Debbie is a Tiwi artist and the daughter of Florence Puruntatameri-Coombes and Graeme Coombes. Her mother is a Tiwi woman from Pirlangimpi Community on Melville Island. Her father originated from Queenstown, New Zealand but married Florence as a young man and called Pirlangimpi home for over 30 years. He raised Debbie and her siblings on the islands.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
