Month: July 2014

Holocaust Survivor Helps Launch William Cooper Book in Adelaide to the Sounds of Jimmy Little’s “Yorta Yorta Man” and Geoff Bullock’s song “The Great South Lands of the Holy Spirit” Stirs Hearts at the Launch of the European Quest Book

By Barbara Miller

PDF Version

Thanks to Jenny Hagger, Director of AHOPFAN and team who organised my book launch for the State Library on 10 July. Norman and I arrived in Adelaide about 11am from Perth on Monday 7 July and we immediately did an interview by phone with Christian radio from Brisbane on National Aboriginal and Islander Observance Committee (NAIDOC). My first book is about William Cooper who is the father or originator of NAIDOC, the first one being held in January 1940 on the first Sunday before Australia Day. On Wednesday, Norman did interviews with ABC Cairns and Christian radio re NAIDOC.

Greg Sinclair, a relative of William Cooper, was not at a Wednesday meeting of the Adelaide Aboriginal and Islander Congress but Norman met him at the NAIDOC march Friday morning. We spoke at a number of meetings while in Adelaide, having a full schedule.

I had invited Andrew Steiner, a sculptor and Holocaust survivor to meet us at the State Library at 1.30pm before our 2-4pm book launch on Thursday. I had not met Andrew but have been on regular teleconferences with him assisting Alf Turner or Uncle Boydie to complete his grandfather William Cooper’s unfinished business. Norman asked him to address the book launch.

Thanks to Jenny Hagger, Director of AHOPFAN and team who organised my book launch for the State Library on 10 July. Norman and I arrived in Adelaide about 11am from Perth on Monday 7 July and we immediately did an interview by phone with Christian radio from Brisbane on National Aboriginal and Islander Observance Committee (NAIDOC). My first book is about William Cooper who is the father or originator of NAIDOC, the first one being held in January 1940 on the first Sunday before Australia Day. On Wednesday, Norman did interviews with ABC Cairns and Christian radio re NAIDOC.

Greg Sinclair, a relative of William Cooper, was not at a Wednesday meeting of the Adelaide Aboriginal and Islander Congress but Norman met him at the NAIDOC march Friday morning. We spoke at a number of meetings while in Adelaide, having a full schedule.

I had invited Andrew Steiner, a sculptor and Holocaust survivor to meet us at the State Library at 1.30pm before our 2-4pm book launch on Thursday. I had not met Andrew but have been on regular teleconferences with him assisting Alf Turner or Uncle Boydie to complete his grandfather William Cooper’s unfinished business. Norman asked him to address the book launch.

PDF Version

What a historic venue to have a book launch 4.30 – 6pm June 30 on the Duyfken 1606 Replica in the Fremantle Fishing Harbour!!

Thanks to the Duyfken 1606 Replica Foundation and volunteers for their support for the launch of my book “The European Quest to Find Terra Australis Incognita: Quiros, Torres and Janszoon” on the Duyfken 1606 Replica in the Fremantle Fishing Harbour. With a crowd of 50 people and a balmy day, I enjoyed sharing about my book. Thanks also to my husband Norman who was MC, Nick Burningham, a Maritime Heritage consultant, Henny Crijns of the VOC Historical Society and John Longley of America’s Cup fame who all said a few words. It was the Dutch East India Company or VOC that sent the Duyfken to what became Australia from present day Indonesia. Thanks to 98five Sonshine FM radio and Fremantle Gazette for covering it, Susan Leggo for her help and all those who enthusiastically bought books.

The Fremantle Gazette link is Page null in July 08, 2014
The Fremantle Gazette July 8 2014 Lifestyle P24 “Dutch Arrival in Duyfken in Detail”

There is a thriving Dutch community in Fremantle and Perth and a thriving community of Yacht Clubs, boating and maritime history enthusiasts in Freo and Perth. My book was a hit as a maritime history of Australia and the books are now in the WA Maritime Museum, the Map and Chart Shop, the State Library bookshop, Millpoint Caffe Bookshop, Serenity Books and Oxford St Books.

Keep an eye out for a review of the European Quest book by Dr Howard Gray in the Australian Association of Maritime History’s journal, The Great Circle.

Norman and I had many other speaking engagements as well while we were in Perth at which people took the opportunity to pick up the European Quest book or my William Cooper book, especially as it was the start of NAIDOC with William Cooper being the father of NAIDOC.

We attended the NAIDOC Perth Opening Ceremony which ran from 12pm – 4pm at Wellington Square, East Perth. It had 3 huge tents and was attended by thousands. A large contingent of Indigenous servicemen took part with many dignitaries present including Mr Ken Wyatt, Member for Hasluck, the first Indigenous MP in the lower house. Norman was able to get a lot of signatures on his petition for a referendum to recognize Indigenous Australians in the constitution and remove racism from it.

We went to the NAIDOC evening service at St George’s Cathedral (Anglican) meeting Kelvin Crombie there. Kelvin’s latest book is “Gallipoli – the Road to Jerusalem.” They had a special service and display to honour Indigenous servicemen which was very well attended. Kelvin’s family was represented in the display.