Would Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson have ever
crossed the Blue Mountains without the help of the local Aboriginal people? The
invaluable role of local guides in this event is rarely recognised.
As silent partners, Aboriginal Australians
gave Europeans their first views of iconic animals, such as the Koala and
Superb Lyrebird, and helped to unravel the mystery of the egg-laying mammals: the
Echidna and Platypus. Well into the twentieth century, Indigenous people were
routinely engaged by collectors, illustrators and others with an interest in
Australia’s animals. Yet this participation, if admitted at all, was generally barely
acknowledged. However, when documented, it was clearly significant.
Penny Olsen and Lynette Russell have gathered
together Aboriginal peoples’ contributions to demonstrate the crucial role they
played in early Australian zoology. The writings of the early European
naturalists clearly describe the valuable knowledge of the Indigenous people of
the habits of Australia’s bizarre (to a European) fauna.
Australia’s
First Naturalists is invaluable for those wanting to
learn more about our original inhabitants’ contribution to the collection,
recognition and classification of Australia’s unique fauna. It heightens our
appreciation of the previously unrecognised complex knowledge of Indigenous
societies.
