Former Prime Minister's son, Steve Hawke, set to launch novel, Barefoot Kids, at the Notre Dame Broome Campus

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Fall 12-3-2007

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome

Publication Place

Broome

Abstract

THE University of Notre Dame Australia Broome Campus will host the launch of a children’s book based on the life of the families of local musical icons The Pigram Brothers on March 15 at 5.30pm.

Barefoot Kids is the first children’s novel written by Steve Hawke, son of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and is described as an action packed adventure story about the Jirroo cousins – a group of musicians who start a campaign to save their local beach from developers.

Mr Hawke lived in the Kimberley as a teenager and the country its people and stories provide the backdrop for the Jirroo cousin’s tale. Indeed songs from the Pigram Brothers’ albums are included in the story along with words from the Yawuru and Bunuba language native to the Broome and Fitzroy Crossing areas respectively.

Mr Hawke will be joined at the Broome Campus launch by his long time friends The Pigram Brothers who are set to play live as part of the celebrations.

“I wanted to show my appreciation of the University’s work in Broome,” Mr Hawke said. “The Pigram Brothers have had a lot of involvement with the Notre Dame Broome campus which has done so much for the Aboriginal people in the area.”

Anyone buying a book on the night will be eligible to win a pearl shell and diamond pendant designed by senior law man of the Bardi and Jawu people, Aubrey Tigan.

Mr Tigan’s work is renowned both locally and internationally.

The book has already been launched on the University of Notre Dame Australia’s Fremantle and Sydney Campuses with Award winning Australian author Tim Winton and former Midnight Oil guitarist Rob Hurst putting their support behind the book.

The Broome launch of Barefoot Kids will begin at 5.30pm on March 15 in The University’s Graduation Square.

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