Us Mob Walawurru

Funny, straight-talking Ruby lives on a cattle station and goes to the 'silver bullet' school. When she questions Mr Duncan, her well-meaning teacher, on why their cultures are so at odds with each other, she unintentionally triggers her own awakening. The more Ruby learns, the harder the journey becomes as she is drawn back to country to uncover the secrets of her past.

Us Mob Walawurru follows the life of Ruby, a young Luritja girl growing up in Central Australia in the 1960s. Living on a cattle station, Ruby is faced with many situations and dilemmas resulting from cultural difference – education, language, family obligation, relationship to country and environment, and ideas of ownership. Us Mob Walawurru is a work of historical fiction and inter-cultural exploration. Some of the events are based on stories told by the Luritja people of Titjikala in the Central Australia. Some historical events are also included.

About the authors

David Spillman spent many years working on Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. For some time he has explored the similarities and differences of Aboriginal cultures to his own western socialisation. He is excited by the contribution of Indigenous perspectives in resolving some of the challenges we face in the world today. David is a co-author and non-Indigenous collaborator on Us Mob Walawurru.

Lisa Wilyuka is a Luritja woman from Titjikala, a community south of Alice Springs. She has lived in Titjikala all her life and works closely with youth in the community. She is especially passionate about young people being involved in sport and cultural activities. Lisa is an artist and is interested in exploring traditional dot painting techniques. Her work is sold through the Titjikala Art Centre and galleries in Central Australia.