SALTWATER PEOPLE THE WAVES OF MEMORY

Nonie Sharp has worked with northern Australia's indigenous coastal peoples for nearly 25 years. After obtaining her PhD in 1985, she taught sociology and anthropology at La Trobe University, Melbourne. A five-year Australian Research Fellowship enabled her to travel to Pacific islands, parts of coastal Europe, Canada and the US, and to write a book about people whose ties to the sea pervade their lives.

Nonie Sharp is also the author of No Ordinary Judgement, the story of the landmark Australian Mabo case on indigenous land rights, a book shortlisted in 1996 for the Australian Cultural Studies Prize and for the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. Other books include Footprints Along the Cape York Sandbeaches (1992), shortlisted for the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards, and Stars of Tagai (1993). She has also published widely in journals, magazines and edited collections, especially in the Melbourne-based serial Arena.