1. Art motifs
2. Art techniques
3. Boomerangs
4. Canoes and canoeing
5. Culture
6. Environmental education
7. Environmental protection
8. Gamilaraay / Gamilaroi / Kamilaroi people (D23) (NSW SH55-12)
9. Insects
10. Memories
11. Play
12. Rivers and creeks

‘Our River Playground’ is a unique collaboration between Aboriginal storytellers, the children of Boggabilla Central School, Western Sydney University and MultiLit's Closing the Gap School Partnership Initiative.

Authored by Uncle Carl McGrady and MultiLit's Anna Notley, ‘Our River Playground’ was inspired by the Boggabilla Central School's participation in the University's acclaimed Painted River Project. This project involved Elders, cultural advisers, and local experts guiding students on their two-day visit to various locations along the Macintyre River in northern NSW.

Here children learned about waterway rejuvenation, painted what they saw and turned their observations into this storybook. Gomeroi Elder Uncle Carl was invited to co-author the book. His observations and childhood memories are distinguished in the book with a different font. His childhood recollections of exploring the river will fascinate readers. As part of this project, children contribute to the environment’s wellbeing by planting seedlings and other activities.

Elder Uncle Carl explains, ‘The significance of this project is the fact that I got to share my Culture and my country with another generation of Gomeroi people, it means that my stories will live within these guys and hopefully, passed on to their kids. To me it is an example of the Gomeroi's ability to adapt to any situation and time, historically we used ochre and rock walls, today we use technology in books and IT.’

The artworks often feature a textured background which is Aboriginal in design and colouring. Various page designs include artworks set against a complementary solid coloured background giving a ‘window’ into Aboriginal life. These artworks may feature as a single page or extend across a double page spread. Gomeroi artist Elenore Binge has drawn on her own childhood in Toomelah and Boggabilla to create her illustrations. The endpapers offer 13 black and white plus coloured photographs of the young students creating their art on site then showcasing their work.

1. National Indigenous Times 6 Dec 2024 article by Dechlan Brennan ‘Excursion inspired children’s book highlighting cultural significance of river systems’ https://nit.com.au/06-12-2024/15262/excursion-inspires-childrens-book-highlighting-cultural-significance-of-river-systems
2. The Guardian 1 Dec 2025 Uncle Carl talks of rediscovering his culture as an adult https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/dec/01/boobera-lagoon-dip-toes-into-learning-dormant-language
3. MultiLit Moments: a newsletter for parents and teachers Mar 2025 talks about the book ‘Our River Playground’ with images of the author at the launch and at the Macintyre River site, which inspired the book https://multilit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MM_March2025_Web.pdf
4. MultiLit Meet our Team: Dr Anna Desjardins (Notley) interview with the author https://multilit.com/meet-our-team-anna-desjardins/
5. YouTube Eleanor Binge teaches us the symbols in her artwork journey: the heart of Reconciliation at ARTC (Australian Rail Track Corporation) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXtZZRfD5oY