Gregg Dreise is an author, artist, songwriter and teacher from south-western Queensland, who is proud of his Kamilaroi and Euahlayi heritage. His books include Silly Birds, Kookoo Kookaburra, Mad Magpie, Cunning Crow, I Open the Door, My Culture and Me, and the new one, Hello and Welcome, which celebrates Australia’s Indigenous heritage. His books have won several awards, he’s an ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and he often makes school visits around Australia. Visit Gregg at www.greggdreise.com.au.
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This is an interview I did with Gregg for Australian Geographic: Explorers, a new magazine for young people who care about the planet.
What inspired your new book Hello and Welcome?
Hello and Welcome is based on old words and old traditions. It is a song and a custom that allows people to realise that Aboriginal Australia is not made up of Tribes, nor Mobs, but Countries. Countries that welcomed others to share resources.
I love that it’s introducing kids to Gamilaraay words, and to the richness and beauty of your culture. How important is it for Indigenous children to see this?
People read books that they feel connected to, for far too long Aboriginal children haven’t been lucky enough to grow up with that content. Thankfully times are changing.
It’s also really important for non-Indigenous students, can you tell us about that?
All Australians should embrace Australian Culture that dates back beyond 230 years. This will be the understanding that leads to the respect that will grow our nation into something truly beautiful.
What’s your favourite thing about being a writer?
I love to get something from my head out into the world that can sing to audiences no matter where you are. It is there for bedtimes, good times, in times of need, including Lock Downs. Storytelling has been around forever – I love to share.
What’s your favourite thing about being an artist?
Art is a language that contains no boundaries, we may all speak different languages around the world, but we all understand art.
How do they enhance each other?
Words and pictures are like ingredients in cooking. People experiment with flavours and create unique sensations that cater for all kinds of tastes.
What inspires your music and songwriting?
Music and songwriting came first for me. Some people enjoy the beat, but to me the story is the most important part. I write about the things I love, the things that create emotion, the stories that simply need to be shared. There is a song out there just for you.
And what’s the most rewarding thing about being a teacher?
I come from a family of educators – in both the modern sense and traditional sense. Some people are natural in educating kids and big kids at heart. I enjoy the smiles and those oh so important ‘aahhh’ moments.
Do you have a favourite Australian animal?
My family Totem is an Emu. I love the way that the Dads look after the young ones. I love how what most people know as the Milky Way is actually an Emu in the Sky. A reminder to be humble.
Have you ever had a scary experience with an animal?
I got up pretty close to a Tasmanian Devil in a forest in Tasmania, I reached down to take a photo… it tried to eat my camera… I ran… and now advise everyone to never get too close to a Tasmanian Devil.
Do you have a favourite tree and flower?
My favourite tree is the Bottle Tree/Boab – it reminds me of home. My favourite flower is the Wattle. I hope that the green and gold of our National Floral Emblem unites us… I would love to see that time of year when they are in bloom to be our National Day of Celebration.
What is a good way for young people to start to connect with the land where they live?
Get off the lounge chair and out of the air-conditioning and explore. Use your senses… listen, touch things, taste things, smell things (unless your Dad is walking in front of you). Walk among the animals who belong here as much as you. But finish the day looking back at the effects of man-kind and our greed.
What is a good way for grown-ups to do that?
Make a regular date on the calendar to go bush-walking or camping. Get back to the basics that we will all have to do when we run out of the destructive resources that we are quickly consuming. Discuss greed and sustainability with your children, this is knowledge that will have to change soon.
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