A Long Way from No Go

(Paperback)

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Description

This is a memoir of an Aboriginal woman, Tjanara Goreng Goreng, who began life without any of the advantages of her fellow non-Indigenous Australians except for grit, humour and diverse talent in spades.Through one woman's story, this book shines a light on the shameful treatment and betrayal of first Australians by individuals and social institutions since European take over. This is a story of resilience, courage and Tjanara's remarkable capacity to overcome unending barriers. She is an inspiration to all fellow Australians and more specifically to the disenfranchised, marginalised and voiceless Indigenous communities.

Hear Tjanara discuss A Long Way from No Go onABC Radio National with Fran Kelly

'If you're not faint hearted, and your mind, spirit and soul are open to hearing some hideous home truths about a particularly dark chapter in Australia's history, you need to read this incredible tale of survival...a tale of reckoning that deserves every acclaim.' Independent Australia

Reviews

A book of courage is the only way to describe A Long Way from No Go. Tjanara shares her cultural strength and her love while sharing her life of horror, and that's not an easy thing to do.

From childhood to adulthood, her story is not a bed of roses. From being abused by members of the Catholic Church to the betrayal of the Australian government, her strength and determination showcases her cultural identity as an Aboriginal woman. Tjanara: a warrior whistleblower, a hero.

You can only admire Tjanara when you read her story. A long way to No Go, it's a must-read for all.

Aunty Kerry Reed-Gilbert, Wiradjuri Elder, poet and artist,

Chairperson, First Nations Australia Writers Network

Author Bio

Tjanara Goreng Goreng is a Wakka Wakka Wulli Wulli traditional owner from Central Queensland who was born in the outback at Longreach in central western Queensland. She has spent a total of 40 years as a public servant at Commonwealth and state levels and in academia, and was one of the bright young people taken on by Charlie Perkins, the first Indigenous person to head up the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. In 2006, she was suspended and later, resigned, from her position in the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination in the Prime Minister's Department after she turned whistleblower and helped expose the Howard government's fraudulent claims leading up to the intervention (NT Emergency Response) into Northern Territory Aboriginal communities. Tjanara moved to academia, and is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Indigenous Studies at the University of Canberra while completing her PhD at the Australian National University. Tjanara is the founder of The Foundation for Indigenous Recovery and Development Australia, and is also a Member of the National Indigenous Research Knowledge's Network based at Queensland University of Technology. She is a mother of one daughter, and has recently become a grandmother. In her spare time she meditates, paints; and plays, sings and composes music with her brothers. She lives in Canberra. Julie Szego began her career as a lawyer before switching to journalism, spending over 12 years at The Age newspaper. She is a freelance journalist and Fairfax columnist, writing on a wide range of social, cultural and gender issues. Her first book, The Tainted Trial of Farah Jama, was shortlisted for the 2015 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Non-fiction, the 2015 Davitt Crime Writing Award for Non-fiction and the 2015 NSW Premier's Literary Award in the Multicultural category. She lives in Melbourne.