This anthology contains eight stories told to Anita Heiss by Wiradjuri elders from central New South Wales, about memories of growing up on country during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Both Aunties and Uncles share their stories. They vary in length and content, but common themes are the difficulties of growing up under the rule of the welfare board, racism in school, poverty, and the consequences of constantly being on the move. Some describe their experiences of family separation as a result of evading capture by the welfare mob, or of being stolen and forced into state care away from their families.

Alongside the difficulties they also detail their fond memories of their Elders, Aunts and Uncles who cared for them and taught them culture. Contributors describe happy memories of family and community life on country, working the land, sitting around campfires, hunting, fishing, and playing games in the bush with their cousins, brothers, and sisters. They talk about the values that were imparted to them by staunch parents and grandparents, about what it means to come from a family where everyone takes care of each other during hard times, and the work they have done to build stronger communities. Every contributor has important advice to share with the next generation.

The hard back copy has a tactile cover with the title font indented and parts of the cover illustration also created this way. The striking shades of purple, blue and pinks set in a traditional layout of boomerangs, solid circles and pattered shapes filled with dots, invite the reader to explore further. The text is in a clear, easy to read font with plenty of white margins around each page, making it accessible to students in middle primary and older. Each new story has a black and white illustration as an introduction, and this further helps to break up the text. This format would be useful for reading aloud, one story at a time to allow for discussion.

Editor, Dr Anita Heiss is a proud Wiradjuri woman. She is a well-known and prolific author who writes across a range of genres including non-fiction, historical fiction, and children’s literature.

The contributors to this collection are all Wiradjuri elders a short biography of each contributor can be found at the end of the book.

Illustrator Charmaine Ledden-Lewis is a proud Bundjalung woman, artist, and illustrator, living on Dharug & Gundungurra country in the Blue Mountains, NSW. Winner of the Kestin Indigenous Illustrator Award, Charmaine has collaborated with authors such as Bruce Pascoe and Cathy Freeman, bringing emotive and colourful art to the stories of each book she produces.

1. Glam Adelaide. Sue Mauger reviews ‘Growing up Wiradjuri’ edited by Anita Heiss https://glamadelaide.com.au/book-review-growing-up-wiradjuri-edited-by-dr-anita-weiss/
2. Region Riverina ‘Wiradjuri elders gift their stories to future generations with new book’ https://regionriverina.com.au/wiradjuri-elders-gift-their-stories-to-future-generations-with-new-book/10890/
3. ABC Radio National 19 November 2022. Elders share stories of ‘Growing up Wiradjuri’ https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/awaye/growing-up-wiradjuri/101665894
4. Good Reading Magazine. ‘Anita Heiss on storytelling in ‘Growing up Wiradjuri’ https://goodreadingmagazine.com.au/podcasts/anita-heiss-on-growing-up-wiradjuri-stories-from-the-wiradjuri-nation/
5. ‘Welcome to Wiradjuri Country’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYltJnIp1aE