1. Creation
2. Dreaming
3. Loneliness
4. Rainbows
5. Sky
6. Stars
7. Stories and motifs
8. Visual literacy

Minkgill, a star, was created by the Rainbow Serpent who crossed the sky making the universe and all living things. The trail the Rainbow Serpent made became a beautiful rainbow.

Sadly Minkgill fell out of the sky and landed on the Earth. Lost, sad and lonely he wandered for a long time searching for where he belonged. One day he saw a rainbow and decided to follow it hoping to find out where he came from. He climbed higher and higher until he met the Rainbow Serpent. He asked where he came from and learnt that he had been a falling star when he was little and that he came from the sky. The Rainbow Serpent said, ‘That’s where you came from. It’s time for you to go home.’ With that Minkgill was shot back to where he belonged and became a star that children can wish upon.

‘Minkgill’ means star in the Kirrae Whurrong language. The book’s illustrations are colourful and include uncomplicated symbols which Fiona Clarke uses throughout her art. Minkgill the star is drawn in a simple style yet the emotional impact of searching for his ‘home’ is clearly shown. Author and illustrator, Fiona Clarke is a Kirrae Whurrong woman from the Warrnambool in the Western district of Victoria. As she states, ‘An important part of being an Aboriginal is knowing your ‘Mob’. What is your identity? Where do you come from?’ The story of Minkgill reflects this human need for a sense of belonging and finding your place.

For over 30 years Fiona Clarke has depicted her Culture through the visual arts creating in many different mediums and producing vibrant contemporary works of art. She is well known and her work is in collections nationally and internationally. ‘Minkgill Chases the Rainbow’ is her first children’s book.

1. Children’s Book Reading 2 September 2020. Tracey McG reads ‘Minkgill Chases the Rainbow’ by Fiona Clarke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN_8INtBgaQ
2. Fiona Clarke’s website https://fionaclarke.com.au/books/
3. The Standard News 20 February 2013. Peter Collins ‘Every little star has a home’ https://www.standard.net.au/story/1312817/every-little-star-has-a-home/