The picture book ‘Sea Country’ by Aunty Patsy Cameron and illustrated by Lisa Kennedy transports the reader back to Aunty Patsy’s childhood on Flinders Island in eastern Bass Strait. Her carefree days were spent playing on the beach teeming with fish and searching for treasure in the form of shells, as well as playing with her sister and cousins in glorious caves and exploring the bush. It was through her experiences, shared with her family that Aunty Patsy learnt about the seasonal life on Flinders Island and connected deeply to sea and Country.
During her childhood Aunty Patsy was taught about the stories and traditions from her Aunties, Uncles, Grandfather and family about the different seasons, foods to eat and she was involved in the seasonal collection of berries and fruits, including wild cherries, tatas and canyon fruits (each of these are beautifully illustrated). She was taught to watch for signs from Country and how to interpret what Country was telling them about weather and seasonal changes, for example, if there was a ring around the moon it was an indication that inclement weather was on its way. The migration of the mutton birds occurred at the same time as the boobyallah flowers erupting; these occurrences were observed and highly anticipated each year. Aunty Patsy learnt about the many different types of fascinating shells as the women collected them and used these to create beautiful, intricate necklaces. There were also certain shells that required specific knowledge to source and this knowledge was passed down from one generation to the next.
‘Sea Country’ is a beautiful book brimming with vibrant colour, beauty and wonder. Lisa Kennedy’s stunning, evocative, layered illustrations, which illuminate the double page spreads, often feature scientific details and the connection Aunty Patsy and her family experienced to Country and in some instances their ancestors. The nuance and intricate details in the visually rich illustrations are captivating and reveal information about the ecology of Flinders Island including the diverse range of plants and animals.
This story is a celebration of the ways in which culture intertwined into the day-to-day life of Aunty Patsy and her people and how knowledge is passed from older family members to the younger generation.
Aunty Patsy Cameron and Lisa Kennedy are descendants of the Pairrebeene / Trawlwoolway clan in Tasmania.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
