Once too shy to initiate a conversation, Esther Gardiner has fully embraced her role as an Aboriginal storyteller.
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The Inverell poet will launch her second book of poetry, Starry Dreamtime Night: My Aboriginal Poems at the Inverell Shire Library from 1pm this Thursday, October 18.
Filling her verse with images of tapping sticks, corroborees and moonlight, Esther is deeply inspired by her Indigenous culture, and feels privileged to share it with others.
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“I’ve tried to bring beauty to my Aboriginal culture through my poems,” she said. She wanted her readers feel like a part of the poems, and to learn about Aboriginal culture through her words.
“A lot of non Indigenous people have commented that I’m a storyteller, and that’s a very important part in Aboriginal culture, the keeper of the stories. So when they say that, it’s a great honour,” Esther said.
“This is one of the best things that I can see that has really closed the gap and really joined our community together,” Inverell Shire councillor and one of Esther’s longest supporters, Paul King, said.
Bookended by pictures of family members, her parents’ mission house at Tingha and her own graduation from the University of New England, the compilation cherishes the memories of those who’ve gone before, and celebrates Esther’s own journey.
She was the only Aboriginal in her university classes, which she admitted was hard, but stuck to it until she came away with a bachelor degree in Arts. Her storytelling comes in part from her mother and father, who both told her stories of their country and ancestors.
The book launch will celebrate Esther’s culture, with a performance of My Island Home from Peter Caddey and traditional music and singing from her nephews Alex and Josh. Cr King and Inverell mayor Paul Harmon will both speak at the event, and Esther will read some of her favourite pieces.
Attendees are asked to RSVP to the Library on 6728 8130 by Wednesday.
To be sold at Tourism Inverell, Starry Dreamtime Night is $30. Esther thanked her family and friends for their support.