The poems entered into the overall national Oodgeroo Noonuccal Prize were of an encouragingly high standard. At least a dozen strong poems did not make the list of Highly Commendeds (notably, ‘Skin 1968’; ‘The Woman I Am’; ’Henry’; and ‘Hear no, See no, Speak no Aboriginal’).

Eastward from the mountain haze across the bays enduring gaze Over soft white sands that surround the sleepy islands shore Through tea trees softly swaying is a lake neath a bunyips playing

Far from her country, her home. Missing the smell of the gum tree. The sound of the cattle truck and the distinct cow smell

The braille of our nation’s Soul Like someone putting their hand up Like someone digging deep

heir ghost blue eyes glowing with bright light. Her father sings his country walking through Blue Mountains. He sings great serpent’s swimming, swimming to make rivers.

Run it for me Bub. Run the song. That song I cut up, the one the ladies sing.