A COMMON LANGUAGE
“GREY WAS UNUSUAL FOR THE TIMES IN THAT HE DID NOT WRITE PATERNALISTICALLY OR CONDESCENDINGLY OF THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE.”
WOULD Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson have ever crossed the Blue Mountains without the help of the local Aboriginal people? As silent partners, Aboriginal Australians gave Europeans their first views of our many iconic animals. Indigenous people were routinely engaged by those with an interest in Australia’s animals, yet this significant participation was barely acknowledged. However, a new book sheds light on their important contributions.
Australia’s First Naturalists is a fascinating read for those wanting to learn more about our original inhabitants’ contribution to the collection, recognition and classification of Australia’s unique fauna. Here, in an extract from the book, scientists and explorers begin understanding that Australia’s indigenous people has a lot to offer the sciences.
“In the young colony of South Australia,, which was serialised in the Perth Gazette, and contains the words for several animal species, including 35 birds.
