With Terraglossia, the name of her latest release and a term coined by Debra Dank in response to the first Europeans’ description of Australia as ‘terra nullius’ – no one’s land, Debra takes action to reclaim a stolen voice. Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts shares her incredible story in Long Yarn Short to drive positive change for First Nations youth. Both are fighting for change through their writing.
Join award-winning writer Debra Dank and debut memoirist Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts as they discuss the past, present and future of writing as activism with ABC Radio National’s Rudi Bremer.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
DEBRA DANK:
Debra Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja and Kalkadoon woman from the Barkly Tablelands in the Northern Territory, she works as an Enterprise Fellow with the University of South.
She is interested in multiform narrative and what impacts semiotics has on that practice across different communities. Her book, We Come with This Place, won numerous awards in 2023, including four NSW Premier’s Literary awards, and the Australian Literature Society Gold Medal. It was also short listed for The Stella Prize and is publishing her next book in 2025.
VANESSA TURBULL ROBERTS:
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts is a proud Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul woman, who has degrees in both law and social work, and was recognised with an Australian Human Rights Medal in 2019. She is a human rights lawyer and Fulbright scholar whose current research is focused on unveiling the intersections of human rights, child removal and the implications of forcible removal, ensuring that First Nations child survivors and those impacted are heard, while providing solutions towards ending child removal. In 2024 Vanessa was appointed the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Her memoir is Long Yarn Short (UQP).
RUDI BREMNER:
Rudi Bremer has been a radio broadcaster since 2012. Having honed her skills at community radio, Rudi initially joined the ABC as a master control technician before returning to her producer roots in 2017. She has a unique perspective on how the ABC works – from chasing interviews to switching satellites. As the presenter of ABC RN’s Awaye! Rudi relishes the opportunity to share her love of performing arts, literature and Indigenous languages – like her own, Gamilaraay.
ABOUT THE VENUE:
ASHFIELD TOWN HALL is accessible from the street and ground levels. Access to the venue is available via the Liverpool Road and Ashfield Mall entrances.
If you have any access or support requirements in order to participate fully, please let us know in the booking order form to ensure that we can arrange any reasonable adjustments. Please note: the venue is accessible for people using wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
We may take photos and video of the speakers and audience. See details here
