Aunty Joy Murphy author page

Aunty Joy Murphy biography

Aunty Joy Murphy is a respected Aboriginal elder of the Wurundjeri people in Australia. She is an acclaimed author and storyteller, known for her contributions to children’s literature. Her work often reflects her cultural heritage and aims to educate young readers about Aboriginal culture and history.

One of her notable works is Welcome to Country, a picture book that introduces children to the concept of a traditional Aboriginal welcome ceremony. The book, illustrated by Lisa Kennedy, was published by Black Dog Books, an imprint of Walker Books Australia, in 2016. It has been praised for its educational value and cultural significance.

Aunty Joy Murphy has also collaborated with Andrew Kelly on the book Wilam: A Birrarung Story, which was illustrated by Lisa Kennedy and published in 2019. This book tells the story of the Birrarung (Yarra River) and its significance to the Wurundjeri people, highlighting the connection between the land and its traditional custodians.

Her contributions to literature and her efforts in promoting Aboriginal culture have been recognised through various accolades. Wilam: A Birrarung Story was shortlisted for the 2020 CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Book of the Year Awards in the Picture Book category.