2000 was an important year in Australian history, and for Mel, a ten year old Murri girl growing up in Ipswich, Queensland, it is a year that she will never forget. Mel has always loved running, and yearns to be a famous Indigenous athlete like Cathy Freeman. To her, it seems that 2000 will be the most amazing year ever, for not only will the Olympics be in Sydney, but Cathy is a favourite to win gold.
Cathy’s successes inspire Mel to try even harder herself, and Mel dreams of visiting Sydney, of meeting Cathy, and of one day being an Olympic athlete. Reality, however, doesn’t always match daydreams, and for Mel the year turns out to hold challenges, opportunities, and surprises that she never expected.
Themes: Indigenous Australia; Reconciliation; Prejudice and Bigotry; Respect; Pride; Responsibility; Family and Friendship.
Free teaching notes: https://resource.scholastic.com.au/resourcefiles/8455026_66337.pdf
And to purchase the book:
Collins: https://www.collinsbooks.com.au/p/education-my-australian-story-our-race-for-reconciliation
Readings: https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781760276119/9781760276119
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/Our-Race-Reconciliation-Anita-Heiss/dp/1760276111