Arnhem Land Influencer

About Lorraine Kabbindi White. From her remote family Outstation in Arnhem Land to a secondary school in Melbourne, Kabbindi’s steady voice rises clearly above centuries of racist oppression in Australia. Her grandfather, world-renowned Aboriginal artist, Wamud Namok, taught her to paint and instilled in her a capability to navigate her way in White Australia. This quintessential tale of struggle and redemption is told from the perspective of a privileged white teacher at her Melbourne school. As he debate about a Referendum (to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Australian Constitution) gathers momentum and against the shameful social and political history of Australia since the Invasion, Kabbindi’s story emerges as a prototype for reconciliation but redemption? That’s a whole new story.

About the Author

Dr. Jeanne Shaw is at heart a teacher and a writer. She was a secondary teacher for almost four decades. She also served as a deputy principal for many years, presented at international conferences on education and co-founded a brand new independent school called Sandridge, (now Newmark Primary). She co-authored the book Teach Positive and has contributed to several others. Her PhD contrasted different narratives around ‘the good teacher’ – including student’s own. She continues to write, mostly poetry, and is also kept busy by her adored grandchildren and new hobby farm.