Wilam

Wilam: A Birrarung Story is one day on a vital, flourishing river.


As ngua rises, Bunjil soars over mountain ash, flying higher and higher as the wind warms. Below, Birrarung begins its long winding path down to palem warreen. Wilam – home.

Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly joins award-winning picture book duo Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy to tell the Indigenous and geographical story of Melbourne’s beautiful Yarra River, from its source to its mouth; from its pre-history to the present day.

“Wilam: A Birrarung Story is an absolutely stunning picture book that explores the teeming wildlife that exists along Birrarung. It teaches us Woiwurrung language for the river and its inhabitants, and asks us to reflect on the importance of the river not only to animals but also to the humans who live in its vicinity. This book is a must-have for every school, library and home in Victoria”

Wilam: A Birrarung Story is an absolutely stunning picture book that explores the teeming wildlife that exists along Birrarung. It teaches us Woiwurrung language for the river and its inhabitants, and asks us to reflect on the importance of the river not only to animals but also to the humans who live in its vicinity. This book is a must-have for every school, library and home in Victoria Readings
Wilam is a truly beautiful story in both its words and pictures...This is a joyful book that returns much to the thoughtful reader, and offers a great deal for classroom use. CBCA: Reading Time Blog
This beautiful book adds to the growing number of books encapsulating our Aboriginal heritage, demonstrating our shared history and culture. Each page resonates with meaning, begging to be looked at closely while pondering the enormous time span represented by this river's being home to so many, in the past, now and into the future...Highly Recommended ReadPlus
Many of the plates would be stunning works of art on their own. But in combination with the text from Aunty Joy and Andrew Kelly, we have a special book to share with children aged 3-8. Trevor Cairney Blog

2019 has been declared by the UN to be the International Year of Indigenous Languages and this is the perfect addition to a collection celebrating this. Not only does it embed the language of the people whose lands were focused around Birrarung into a context that makes sense to all readers, it also exemplifies the connection between text and illustrations as readers must use the one to understand the other.
A must-have.

The Bottom Shelf
This is a highly significant work, distinguished by the seamless blend of Woiwurrung language and English...The text is superb, with a carefully chosen blend of words from each language. Magpies
This is a book to treasure, from the stunning cover that emanates the fresh river air and teeming flora and fauna, to the glossary of Woiwurrung words, which have been integrated into the English text...Wilam will hopefully find a home in every classroom and family as a wonderful celebration that weaves together flora and fauna with people, water and land, and past and present. Kids Book Review
I cannot emphasise enough how this picture book simply bursts with life and the complete affinity with country that is held close by our First Australians...Highly recommended for all readers from prep upwards. Just So Stories
Wilam is more than just a story about a river. It’s an inspiration, gently leading us to find out more about the land in which we live. Glam Adelaide

Aunty Joy Murphy is a respected Wurundjeri Elder and author of Welcome to Country.

Andrew Kelly is the Yarra Riverkeeper, part of an international organisation of Riverkeepers. He has written numerous books for children and adults.


Lisa Kennedy is a descendant of the Trawlwoolway People on the north-east coast of Tasmania. Lisa was born in Melbourne and as a child lived close to the Maribyrnong River. Here she experienced the gradual restoration of the natural river environment alongside cultural regeneration and reclamation. Through sense of place she feels connected to the Wurundjeri country and all that entails — the water, the land, the animals and the ancestors. The experience of loss and reclamation is embedded in her work. Welcome to Country is her first title with Black Dog Books.

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