Published in Overland Issue 223 Winter 2016 Nakata Brophy Prize First place: Expert Ellen van Neerven Poor me don’t know how it happened think I got a non-Indigenous girlfriend who thinks she’s an expert don’t know how she’s got her expertise think I’m the first one she’s met yet she tells me I’m closed to other sides of the debate that she has the answers because she saw a television ad for Recognition and though most Indigenous Australians are opposed she says it’s for our good talks about drunks and sexual abuse ‘up north’ devalues my own knowledge (too urban) and anything I get from black media (not the whole truth I wouldn’t trust it) she likes to argue when she’s had a few 13 times more her voice loud (87%) of intimate partner homicides fresh tears on my face involving Indigenous people, are alcohol related she’s drunk, I tell the booliman still shaking. Sitting on the steps. no, I haven’t had any won’t let her forget this statistic tonight it’s her in the paddy wagon Read the rest of Overland 223 – If you liked this article, please subscribe or donate. Ellen van Neerven Ellen van Neerven is an award-winning writer, editor and educator of Mununjali Yugambeh and Dutch heritage with strong ancestral ties to south east Queensland. 'Chermy' appears in van Neerven's newly released second poetry collection Throat (UQP, 2020). More by Ellen van Neerven Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays First published in Overland Issue 228 30 October 202230 October 2022 Activities Final results of the 2021 Nakata Brophy Prize Editorial team The Nakata Brophy Short Fiction and Poetry Prize for Young Indigenous Writers, sponsored by Trinity College at the University of Melbourne and supporters, recognises the talent of young Indigenous writers across Australia. First published in Overland Issue 228 20 October 202220 October 2022 Prizes Announcing the Nakata Brophy 2021 shortlist Editorial team The Nakata Brophy Short Fiction and Poetry Prize for Young Indigenous Writers, sponsored by Trinity College at the University of Melbourne and supporters, recognises the talent of young Indigenous writers across Australia. The prize, now its sixth year, awards $5000 to one Indigenous writer 30 years or younger and $500 to two runner-up entries. First place also receives a writing residency at Trinity College and publication in Overland's print magazine.
