1. Aboriginal Australians
2. Art
3. Bilingual books
4. Central Australia
5. Children as artists
6. Colonisation
7. First Nations people
8. History
9. Music
10. Pitjantjatjara people (C6) (NT SG52-11)
11. Singing
12. Uluru / Ayres Rock (South Central NT SG52-08)

‘Solid Rock, Sacred Ground’ is a song released in 1982 by Shane Howard, singer and song writer for the Australian band Goanna. What many people did not realise at the time, is that this song was written both to highlight the dispossession of First Nations people, and also to celebrate the connection of First Nations people to Country.

The song lyrics have been made into this inspiring and beautifully crafted children’s book, with accompanying illustrations. The song was written after Shane Howard spent time at Uluru and was profoundly moved and inspired by the experiences he had there. These lyrics illuminate the injustices at the heart of Australian history, and also pay tribute to the beauty and creativity of First Nations culture.

The words in this book are poetic, deceptively simple, moving and empowering. The book is both a call to action and an expression of love for and connection to our country. Young readers will be inspired to reflect on and perhaps conduct further research into Australia’s shameful history of colonisation. The lyrics have been translated on each page into Pitjantjatjara language, so that this book is the perfect bilingual resource for both school and home libraries.

The accompanying illustrations are stunning – full of rich colour and detail, showcasing the work of talented young artists from Mutitjulu, Kaltukatjara and Imanpa communities, as well as paintings by Queensland painter Peter Hudson. They have been created in a variety of different mediums - many with sweeping brushstrokes and earthy colours to reflect the surrounding landscape at the heart of our country.

A CD accompanies this book, with versions of the song ‘Sold Rock, Sacred Ground’ in both English and Pitjantjatjara language.

1. Byram, Vickii. 22 November 2018. Macquarie Port News. ‘Solid Rock allowed Shane Howard to pursue change for the plight of our Indigenous.’ https://www.portnews.com.au/story/5773607/songs-that-changed-our-musical-viewpoint/
2. Rowland, Peter. 2018. Peter Rowland: Wildlife Photographer & Writer. ‘Interview with Australian Music Icon – Shane Howard.’ https://prpw.com.au/2018/12/shane-howard-interview/
3. ARC Justice. 3 June 2016. YouTube. ‘Solid Rock – Puli Kunpunka – Shane Howard.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WvDK6pRrQA
4. Howard, Shane. Shane Howard website. ‘Palya Wiru Uluru.’ https://shanehoward.com.au/palya-wiru-uluru
5. Davis, Emma. ABC News. 30 July 2019. ‘Uluru Tourists.’ https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/uluru-tourists/11345930
6. Uluru Statement Org. ‘The Uluru Statement from the Heart.’ Including Aboriginal and CALD language translations https://ulurustatement.org/the-statement