Stephen Hagan to launch children's book

Prominent Academic, Author and Activist, Stephen Hagan, has co-authored a children's book designed to introduce young Australians to Indigenous culture.

Melly and the Bilby, is Stephen's first children's book and will also raise awareness of one of Australia's endangered species, the Bilby.

'The story follows Melly, a young Aboriginal girl who finds an injured Bilby and nurses it back to health before releasing it to the safety of a conservation park,' Mr Hagan said.

'Melly Shares her journey, of learning more about the Bilby, with her family and neighbour, Dennis.

'It is told through the eyes of these children, and along the way young readers will be introduced to Aboriginal culture through the use of my father's Kullilli language in describing animals and the environment.

'As well as talking about Indigenous culture, the book will also highlight the plight of the Bilby, with 20 per cent of money from the sale of the books going towards the Save The Bilby Fund.'

Co-authored by Gympie primary school teacher Susan-Zela Bissett, Melly and the Bilby is the first in a series of children's books involving Mr Hagan.

'The plan is to write about 10 books, with each one focussing on a specific Australian animal and telling the story from an Aboriginal perspective.

'In Australian primary schools there is a lack of educational resources on Aboriginal culture and through these books we hope to give young Australians some knowledge of Indigenous culture.'

Sponsored by the USQ Faculty of Education, the book will also be used as a resource by education students.

'The Faculty of Education have been very supportive and when their students get jobs and head out into regional areas we are encouraging them to take the books with them as additional teaching resource,' Mr Hagan said.

The official launch will take place in Charleville on Saturday September 9 at the inaugural National Bilby Festival celebrations.

Mr Hagan will also be available for a photo and interview at the Kumbari Ngurpai Lag Centre, USQ at 9:30am on Friday September 8 2006.

Media are welcome to attend.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628 or 0403 643 192