Murawina: Australian Women of High Achievement

For more than 40000 years Australian women have played a major part in this country’s development.

Murawina: Australian Women of High Achievement presents profiles of 34 women who have contributed to the development of the diversity of the nation as we see it today.

Author Dr Roberta Sykes has allowed each woman to speak for herself. The result is a collection of very powerful life stories. Through them we are able to gain an insight into how life has been, and is now, for Australian women in general and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander women in particular.

The women come from a range of backgrounds, from isolated and deeply traditional communities to the urban and highly technical, and pursue varied careers and interests. As we read how they see their own lives, we can only be inspired by the strength they summoned in order to overcome barriers and hardships and achieve their goals in life. Their enduring beauty and warmth are captured in Sandy Edwards’ photographs.

Many of the stories will shock. From the first-hand experience of these women, it becomes clear that racist attitudes we may have hoped had disappeared from the Australian landscape continue to flourish in many quarters.

Murawina is a tribute to the vitality, courage and optimism of these women, and to all Australian women.