Papunya School Book of Country and History 25th Anniversary Edition by Papunya School

WINNER: CBCA Book of the Year, Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
WINNER: Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing
WINNER: NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize

This multi-award-winning book tells the story of how Anangu from five different language groups came to live together in the Northern Territory community of Papunya. From the first contacts with explorers, missionaries and pastoralists and the start of the Western Desert art movement and the Warumpi Band, this richly layered text leads us to the development of the Papunya Model of Education, which places Country at the centre of learning.

Combining many voices and many hands, this collaboration between the staff and students of Papunya School, working with writer Nadia Wheatley and artist Ken Searle, set a new benchmark in First Nations publishing. Twenty-five years on, this unique example of ‘two way’ learning remains a profound metaphor for reconciliation.

‘A salutary example of shared authority in the writing of history and demonstrates the educational imperatives of the reconciliation process.’ Judges Report, NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Awards, 2002

‘Papunya School Book combines language simple enough for primary school children with concepts too complex for many Australian politicians.’
Jenny Pausacker, The Weekend Australian

‘No course in Australian history, at whatever level, will ever be complete now without the Papunya School Book of Country and History.’
Margaret Dunkle, Australian Book Review

‘In the context of Australians reckoning with their past, the Papunya School Book of Country and History remains a landmark publication – as potent today as it was when first published twenty-five years ago.’ Rachel Perkins, Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman and writer, director and presenter of The Australian Wars

A celebratory edition of this groundbreaking, multi-award-winning, collaborative history of Western Desert communities from a First Nations perspective.

About the Author: This book is a unique collaboration involving the staff and students of Papunya School, working together with writer Nadia Wheatley and artist Ken Searle. Combining many voices and many hands, it was originally produced as a resource to be used for the school’s ‘two way’ curriculum, Papunya Model of Education.

‘We want to see the children, after being educated at Papunya School, coming out like honey ants full of honey – nice and healthy honey – not poison inside. We want to see the children learning both ways, and coming out bright orange and yellow together, like honey ants.’ Linda Kapunani Allen

Nadia Wheatley is an award-winning writer for children and young adults. Ken Searle is an artist and illustrator. They were engaged as curriculum consultants at Papunya School from 1998 to 2001.

At Papunya from 1998-2001: Diane de Vere, School Principal; Jenny Wilson, Teacher-Linguist; Anangu staff including Emma Nungarrayi, Linda Anderson, Charlotte Phillipus, Patricia Phillipus, Mary Malbunka, Punata Stockman, Elva Poulson, Morris Major, Narli Nakamarra, Amos Egan; and many Papunya School students and friends.

30 Jun 2026
 

Papunya School Book of Country and History 25th Anniversary Edition by Papunya School ISBN 9781761183065