Nadia Wheatley

The Sixties — an era of protest, free love, civil disobedience, duffel coats, flower power, giant afros and desert boots, all recorded on grainy black and white footage — marked a turning point for change. A time when radicals found their voices and used them. While the initial trigger for protest was opposition to the Vietnam War, this anger quickly escalated to include Aboriginal Land Rights, Women’s Liberation, Gay Liberation, Apartheid, and ‘workers’ control’. In Radicals some of the people doing the changing – including Meredith Burgmann, Nadia Wheatley, David Marr, Geoffrey Robertson and Gary Foley – reflect on how the decade changed them and society forever.

We should have harmony among people who live on this beautiful planet. We should make friends with people we don't know. We should play, share and have trust with everyone. - MohammedOn this journey I experienced the bush and I experienced life. I also found a brand-new way to learn, and know new things. - ChristineWe worked together, made friends, and played together. I learned about ngurra, trees and plants, animals and Aboriginal people. - AlbanIn 2005 author Nadia Wheatley and artist Ken Searle developed a Harmony Project with sixteen students from eight infant and primary schools in Sydney - some Muslim, some Catholic, some government schools. As well as experiencing the harmony of the natural environment, the children were encouraged to learn about harmony between the traditional owners and the land, and to find harmony in friendship and collaboration. Going Bush showcases some of the students' illustration and writing, linked together with art and design by Ken Searle and a narrative by Nadia Wheatley.

We use the bush as our school and as our playground, says one of the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people whose voices combine in this anthology of true stories about childhood, compiled from a wide range of memoirs and oral histories. Alongside reminiscences of getting bush tucker, going fishing and taking part in ceremony, there are descriptions of playing games, building cubbies and having fun. The warmth of home, the love of family and the strength of community shine through every story. Freedom goes hand in hand with responsibility, while respect and sharing are constant themes. The eighty Elders - both past and present - who have contributed their words or artwork to this book include many prominent community leaders, educators and artists. Their life-stories span the twentieth century. Just as important are the contemporary stories told by twenty secondary school students. Although some of these young people now make their home in the city, their connection to traditional country remains the source of learning. As we listen to these stories that come from country and from inside the heart, we find wisdom that could help us care for each other and for the land where we all now live.

the long-awaited award-winning biography of one of Australia's most charismatic and misunderstood writers. Charmian Clift's writing captivated readers across the nation. Her life inspired legends and fascinated thousands. Now at last here is the real story. Charmian Clift was born in Kiama, New South Wales, in 1923. In this close-knit seaside community Clift felt an outsider and rebelled against the expectations of the working-class town. the beautiful, complex and intelligent young country girl grew into a forthright and witty woman who, after a stint in the war-time army, began a career as a journalist with the Melbourne newspaper the Argus. It was here that Clift met the 'golden boy' war correspondent George Johnston, who went on to write the classic My Brother Jack. Within a short space of time Clift and Johnston had collaborated on the prize-winning novel High Valley, moved to London and then shocked everyone by giving up the sophisticated London life and moving their family to a Greek island to focus on their careers as writers. the long-awaited award-winning biography of one of Australia's most charismatic and misunderstood writers. Charmian Clift's writing captivated readers across the nation. Her life inspired legends and fascinated thousands. Now at last here is the real story. Charmian Clift was born in Kiama, New South Wales, in 1923. In this close-knit seaside community Clift felt an outsider and rebelled against the expectations of the working-class town. the beautiful, complex and intelligent young country girl grew into a forthright and witty woman who, after a stint in the war-time army, began a career as a journalist with the Melbourne newspaper the Argus. It was here that Clift met the 'golden boy' war correspondent George Johnston, who went on to write the classic My Brother Jack. Within a short space of time Clift and Johnston had collaborated on the prize-winning novel High Valley, moved to London and then shocked everyone by giving up the sophisticated London life and moving their family to a Greek island to focus on their careers as writers.