About The World is Our Playground Series Book 5: Nanak & Tara’s Australian, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) Adventure by Jamel Kaur Singh and Uncle Gene Blow
In this fifth book of The World is Our Playground Series, Australian siblings Nanak & Tara explore the world of the Aborigines in Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) in Queensland, Australia with their grandfather Nanaji, and Noonuccal elder, Uncle Gene Blow. They experienced whale-watching, Djony cakes, the Island Vibe Festival, Wooramah, Jalum Jibalang, Dreamtime stories, hiking, and creating art in the sand. In The World is Our Playground Series Book 5: Nanak & Tara’s Australian, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) Adventure, the brother-sister tandem was able to enrich their knowledge of the Aboriginal culture of the Noonuccal people of Australia by visiting their land and getting immersed in their language, traditions, arts, and beliefs. This addition to the series further spreads awareness about the diversity of people in the world to help lessen biases, misunderstandings, and fears which are causes of racism and bullying in the society.
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Author Bio:
-Jamel Kaur Singh, a vibrant member of Australia’s multicultural landscape, has been an integral part of the community since her arrival from England in 1981. Together with her parents, Jessiee Kaur Singh and Dya Singh, they founded the Multifaith Association in South Australia in 1988, establishing a legacy of promoting cultural understanding and unity.
Immersed in the rich tapestry of Australian society, Jamel’s educational journey reflects her commitment to embracing diverse cultures, religions, faiths, and traditions. Her academic pursuits include a BA in Aboriginal Administration Management and Community Engagement from Uni SA, fostering strong connections with First Nations communities across Australia and the globe.
Jamel’s dedication to fostering unity within diversity is evident in the culmination of her academic achievements, with her MBA thesis centred on promoting cultural awareness and understanding. Recognized as a national and international ambassador for cultural education, she envisions transforming societal and corporate cultures, eradicating racial violence, and fostering global peace and harmony.
At the core of her advocacy, Jamel introduces “The World Is Our Playground” series, a ground-breaking initiative aimed at nurturing cultural education from an early age. Through this series, she strives to instil in students the recognition of similarities and differences as ‘normal’ facets of human identity, creating pride in their own cultures. By offering inclusive literature, Jamel ensures that every child sees themselves represented within the pages, contributing to a more harmonious and interconnected world.
-Uncle Gene Blow, a proud Noonuccal and Gorreng Gorreng elder in Brisbane, draws his cultural heritage from his grandparents on North Stradbroke Island and the Bundaberg region. Raised on a tobacco farm in NSW, his upbringing was steeped in family and tradition. Home-schooled initially, he later embraced formal education in Cribb Island, spending nine transformative years immersed in island culture.
During this period, Uncle Gene actively participated in protest marches, gaining insight into contemporary Indigenous issues and political activism. His experiences fuelled a commitment to challenging misconceptions and advocating for the rights of First Nation people.
Uncle Gene’s journey began with a talent for AFL, leading to representation in Queensland’s Under 16 team and subsequent opportunities in Victoria’s football clubs. He then travelled Australia, playing AFL and immersing himself in many mobs across the nation. Post-football, he entered government roles under Aboriginal employment strategies and discovered his calling as an educator, specializing in Aboriginal Cross-Cultural Training.
His dedication to cultural education expanded during his tenure with Qld Health (2006-2019), where he shared dreamtime stories, played the Yidaki (colloquially known as the Didgeridoo), and taught cultural songs and dances. Inspired to preserve his cultural heritage, he authored dreamtime stories for children, complemented by native animal puppets.
Since 2009, Uncle Gene has led the Ninghy Ninghy Dance Group, named in homage to Redcliffe Peninsula’s traditional owners. Today, he shares his extensive knowledge through diverse cultural programs in childcare centres, schools, and organizations, aiming to leave lasting cultural legacies for all Australians to appreciate and embrace.