"Freedom Day" By Thomas Mayo, Rosie Smiler & Samantha Campbell
When many voices are joined together, with courage, change can happen.
In 1966, more than two hundred courageous Aboriginal people walked off the Wave Hill Cattle Station in the Northern Territory. Led by Vincent Lingiari, these stockmen and their families were walking together to fight for equal pay and land rights.
Exquisitely illustrated and designed, this non-fiction picture book brings a landmark historical event to a new generation. Many people have seen the iconic photograph of Gough Whitlam pouring a handful of red soil into the hands of Vincent Lingiari – a symbol of the legal transfer of Gurindji land back to the Gurindji people – and recognise this as a key moment in the ongoing land rights movement.
Freedom Day delves into the events that led up to this moment, and makes a rallying cry for the things that still need to change in its wake. Thomas Mayor co-authors this book with Rosie, Vincent Lingiari’s granddaughter, to bring this vital story to life. The story has been written in close consultation with the Lingiari family.
This title is featured in the Koori Curriculum Club, to gain access purchase your Koori Curriculum Club membership here.
- ISBN: 9781760508562
- ISBN-10: 176050856X
- Audience: Children
- For Ages: 5 - 99 years old
- Format: Hardcover
- Language: English
- Number Of Pages: 48
- Published: 16th August 2021
- Publisher: Hardie Grant Children's Publishing
- Dimensions (cm): 1.2 x 30.8 x 26.8
- Weight (kg): 0.608
- Edition Number: 1
More About The Artist
More About The Artist


About Thomas Mayo
About Thomas Mayo
Thomas Mayo is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man and the author of seven influential books focused on First Nations history, rights and justice. His writing includes The Voice to Parliament Handbook, co-authored with Kerry O’Brien, which was named 2024 Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards.
Thomas’s work centres on truth-telling, recognition and the path forward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. His latest book, Always Was, Always Will Be, offers a hopeful and practical guide for all Australians following the 2023 Voice Referendum.
Alongside his writing, Thomas is a dedicated advocate and speaker who has travelled the country sharing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and working to inspire meaningful change.
Thomas Mayo is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man and the author of seven influential books focused on First Nations history, rights and justice. His writing includes The Voice to Parliament Handbook, co-authored with Kerry O’Brien, which was named 2024 Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards.
Thomas’s work centres on truth-telling, recognition and the path forward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. His latest book, Always Was, Always Will Be, offers a hopeful and practical guide for all Australians following the 2023 Voice Referendum.
Alongside his writing, Thomas is a dedicated advocate and speaker who has travelled the country sharing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and working to inspire meaningful change.