Charmaine M. Baggow
The Boy and the Blackbird
An Australian History Book for Children
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charmaine Baggow is a fourth-generation descendant of the Pacific Islander people taken from Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands to work in the cane fields of Queensland - a process known as Blackbirding by shipping companies in the 18th Century.
Charmaine lives in Mackay, Queensland with her husband and has a large extended family across the region. She is an artist who dabbles in all mediums of art and craft, selling her art through local artisan markets. Charmaine is able to do affordable commissioned artworks and crafts.
She is also a Cultural Health Advisor as a Registered Nurse, providing health advice for Australian South Sea Islanders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in terms of prevention and treatment.
This book is dedicated to her grandchildren.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Blackbirding is the historical term used by shipping companies for the abduction and trickery of Pacific Island men and women, boys and girls between 1871 and 1904.
Pacific Islander People from many Island Villages contributed to the establishment of the Sugar Cane Industry in Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
This is Simons’ Story.
SOME OF CHARMAINE'S WORK