Nona and Me Page 24

  “I thought you were going to be a nurse. You can’t do that if you don’t go to school.”

  “Maybe I’ll be rockstar instead.”

  I lift my head and see her grin. It stretches from ear to ear. I smile and rest my cheek back against the warm tiles.

  We lie there, one behind the other.

  Two bodies rendered colourless, silhouetted by the sun.

  We could be anyone, anywhere.

  We are just two girls.

  Sisters.

  Nona and me.

  Acknowledgements

  It would not have been possible to write this book without the help of Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, who shared her knowledge, expertise and time. She was among the first to hear the idea for the novel, and the last to proofread the finished manuscript. Wirrki ŋarra marr-ŋamathina.

  For anyone who wants to learn more about Yolŋu culture, I recommend the book Welcome to My Country by Laklak Burarrwanga and her family. Thank you to Laklak for permission to adapt material for one of my chapters, and for allowing me to use Bawaka as Bolu’s homeland.

  Heartfelt gratitude to Dhängaḻ Gurruwiwi, Djalu Gurruwiwi and Dopiya Yunupiŋu, my wäwa Yotjiŋ and their family for adopting me and inviting me and my family to share many amazing experiences. Their friendship and generosity has been, in many ways, the inspiration for this story. They also allowed me to use Gikal as Stretch’s homeland.

  Many people shared their stories of living in Yirrkala and Nhulunbuy, helping to bring Rosie and Nona and their families to life. Thanks to Abigail White, Scott Beverstock, Yalmay Yunupiŋu, Tara Canobie, Kate Smith, Andrea Campbell, Stuart Kellaway, Will Stubbs, Annie Studd, Beŋgitj Ŋurruwuthun, Barbara Taylor, Melissa Kennedy, Andrea Kingston, Kathryn McMahon, Claire Rafferty, Mark Tanner, Imogen Louise and Sherri Hedges, Katrina Hudson and Leila Dunn, Rarriwuy Marika and Robyn Beecham.

  Those who read drafts of the novel made it stronger, and more rounded and real. Samanti Desilva, Ros Wheatley, Abigail White, Melanie Herdman, Annabel Davis, Kaneana May, Jarvis Ryan, David Curzon and Pip Atkins – this book would not be what it is today without your thoughts, suggestions and encouragement.

  Thank you to the women at Yirrkala childcare – Lisita Taulani, Fatai Fainga’a, Karishma Patel, Kristina Ateli Miorin and Margie Saukuru – for looking after my children so lovingly, giving me time to write.

  Yalmay Yunupiŋu, Mushroom Records and Sony generously allowed me to use the lyrics from the Yothu Yindi song “Treaty”, and the members of East Journey let me borrow the name of their group for Aiden’s band.

  My agent, Elizabeth Troyeur, and Jeanne Ryckmans from Black Inc. believed in this book even when it was still a work in progress. It was a pleasure to work with Nikola Lusk, who guided me through the editing process with skill and sensitivity.

  Thank you to my mum and dad for always encouraging me to follow my passions. To my wonderful husband, Jarvis, for sharing the crazy ride that is life, and always being on my team. And finally to my children, Louis, Rosa and Nina, for their love and laughter, and for making me wonder, What would your lives be like if you grew up in Yirrkala?