10 December 2000
Human Rights Medal and Awards 2000
Jackson's Track . narrative of a simple life
The judges were unanimous in awarding the Arts Non-Fiction Award to Carolyn Landon and Daryl Tonkin for Jackson's Track: Memoir of a Dreamtime Place.
This is the true story of bushman Daryl Tonkin and his beloved Aboriginal wife Euphemia who, from the 1930s onwards, lived and worked along Jackson's Track in Gippsland in South Eastern Victoria. Tonkin, now in his eighties and living in a primitive shack in West Gippsland, related the story of his life to Landon, a local schoolteacher who taught his grandchildren.
Tonkin and his brother left Melbourne in 1936 and set up a timber mill at Jackson's Track, a Koori Dreamtime place. The book details Tonkin's estrangement from his family when he fell in love with Euphemia and makes important observations about life for Aboriginal Australians during that period.
The judges said Landon, using Tonkin's notes and interviews, was able to develop a well-crafted narrative that recaptures a community and a way of life now vanished, and presents a simple, but very important message.
"Without any pretensions or polemics, the book underscores the values of respect for other human beings, respect for the equalising power of work, respect for education and respect for the environment," one judge commented.
John Moriarty's book Saltwater Fella, the story of his life as a member of the Stolen Generations and his success as a national soccer player, activist and designer, was highly commended.
Media contacts: Janine MacDonald on (02) 9284 9880 or 0412 783 631 Margie Cook on (02) 9284 9677 or 0418 637 230
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and Equal Opportunity Commission. Last updated 2 December 2001.
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