Writer launches debut novel

A local writer has launched her debut novel on Sunday, July 29, at the Wagstaffe Hall.

Beneath the Mother Tree, by DM Cameron, plays out in a unique and wild Australian setting, interweaving Indigenous history and Irish mythology.

The novel is set on an island in the Quandamooka area where she grew up.

It explores her connection to country as a fourth and fifth generation Australian of mainly Irish descent.

Because the Quandamooka area continues to have a strong Indigenous presence, mainly due to the mission on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) which ran for over 50 years, Ms Cameron said she felt the need to juxtapose her own displaced connection to the land with the indigenous direct connection to country.

As the book contains "peripheral Aboriginal characters", she worked with Ngugi elder Uncle Bob Anderson on all indigenous content.

She said Uncle Bob was the first to make her aware of the violence and massacres that had occurred within the Quandamooka nation.

She said, suddenly, she saw this place, her heart country, through the eyes of the local mob.

There was heartbreak and violence scattered through-out the land, and most of it was and still is, unsigned, unmarked, and not spoken about.

Out of all of this came a spine-chilling mystery and contemporary love story, which has had a long and winding road to publication, culminating in several offers of publication.

Originally an actress, D.M. Cameron is an Awgie-nominated radio dramatist, award-winning playwright and celebrated short film writer.

She received RADF funding to begin work on her first novel and was then selected for a Varuna Litlink residency to further develop this initial draft.

Kincumber library will be holding an author talk on Wednesday, September 12, 5:30 pm for a 6pm start.

SOURCE:

Media release, 28 Jun 2018

Donna Cameron, Wagstaffe