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The book launch

book extracts | author's speech | audio book | media coverage | project team

On Monday 23 October Norman Baird - a spark within was launched at the church grounds, Mossman Gorge to a crowd of more than a hundred. People traveled from Hope Vale, Cooktown, Wujal Wujal, China Camp, Cairns and Brisbane to share the event.

Kuku Yalanji dancers Gerhardt Pearson presents Annie and Polly with their father's war medals.
Kuku Yalanji dancers opened the proceedings with a special welcome dance. Gerhardt Pearson presents Annie and Polly with their father's war medals.
The launch The launch Noel Pearson, Director of Cape York Institute
Traditional Owner David Buchanan provided the Welcome to Country telling a story about how Norman once stopped the rain for an important ceremony, something which also happened on the launch day. Mathew Gibson, Chairman of the Mossman Gorge Aboriginal Community and also great great grandson of Norman Baird. He said Norman's life was much harder than anyone's today and said he was moved by the information he read in the book.

Noel Pearson, Director of Cape York Institute said there was a "gathering momentum of denialism in this country" and that "local history about real people and real events is imperative" to debunk myths presented as fact.

Kathleen Denigan Gayle Fischer Lea Giles-Peters, State Librarian
Kathleen Denigan delivering her speech. Kathleen thanked three special women for their support, Annie Kulka, Polly Fischer and Ivy Pearson. Gayle Fischer, Polly's daughter and grand daughter of Norman spoke about the great legacy he has left. Lea Giles-Peters, State Librarian. Lea admired Norman's love of life long learning a characteristic encouraged by libraries. The State Library provided in-kind support to the project.
The launch The launch The launch
 Gerhardt Pearson, Executive Director, Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation. Gerhardt thanked Susan Medway for her personal and professional commitment to the project. Kuku Yalanji dancers. Norman has helped preserve a great part of Kuku Yalanji culture when in the 1960s he translated and recorded his language. Kerry and Will MacGillivray. Norman Baird's war time photo has been in Kerry's family for 89 years after Norman posted it to her grandfather.

 

book extracts | author's speech | audio book | media coverage | project team

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