Ayaiga : neighbour and hero
Higgs, Thomas2026
Book
Total copies: 1
In the remote Roper River region of the Northern Territory more than 120 years ago, an Alawa man committed an act of such exceptional bravery that a King took notice. Ayaiga had been arrested for stealing from one of the vast cattle stations established on traditional Alawa Country. The heavyweight boxing champion of the Australian Police, Constable William Francis Johns, was bringing him in to Leichhardt's Bar Police Station -- the constable on horseback, with Ayaiga, manacled by the neck, attempting to keep up on foot. Johns foolishly attempted to cross a flooded creek and was knocked unconscious when his panicked horse kicked him in the head. Ayaiga, burdened by his heavy chain, heroically saved Johns from drowning and remained by the constable's side as he recovered. Ayaiga became one of only eight Australian recipients -- and the only Indigenous recipient -- of the Albert Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life.
Main title:
Ayaiga : neighbour and hero / written by Thomas Higgs with Colin Hall ; illustrated by Wally Wilfred.
Author:
Imprint:
Canberra, ACT : National Library of Australia Publishing, [2026]©2026
Collation:
47 pages : illustrations (some colour), portraits (some colour) ; 26 cm
Notes:
"Includes reflections from Ayaiga's grandson and a descendant of Constable Johns, historical photographs..."--Back cover."Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this "book contains depictions and names of deceased people, and content that may be distressing."--Page 2.In English with some words in Alawa and Kriol with an Alawa/Kriol/English glossary.
Audience:
Interest age level: 10+ years old.
ISBN:
9781922507785 (hbk)9781922507785 (hardback)1922507784
Dewey class:
994.03305.89915994
Language:
EnglishAustralian languagesN92P1
Subject:
Ayaiga -- Juvenile literatureJohns, William Francis -- Juvenile literaturePrisoners, Aboriginal Australian -- Juvenile literatureAlawa (Australian people) -- Biography -- Juvenile literatureRace relations -- Northern Territory -- History -- Juvenile literatureFloods -- Northern Territory -- Roper River -- Juvenile literatureRescues -- Juvenile literatureRoper River (N.T.) -- Juvenile literatureBiographiesRace relationsAlawa language N92Kriol language P1Alawa people N92Literature and stories - JuvenileRoper River (NT Top End SD53-09, SD53-10, SD53-11)
BRN:
3296585