Reviews

Casey Courtenay - 

"Just started reading your book, and want to say it is a standout. Beautifully written, great illustrations and many poignant observations. Congratulations well done. Makes me want to wet a line myself. "

Ian Huntley - 

"I don’t often write book reviews but this one is a must for anyone interested in Australian nature, especially as seen through the eyes of a brilliant writer and amateur fisherman – my friend Kim Courtenay.

His latest self-published book Ghosts of Yilagun is an absolute classic that includes growing up in Sydney and living that dangerous sport of ocean rocks fishing. Personally, I couldn’t put it down.

His previous, again self-published book, We Must Walk Together is an absolute classic. It superbly tells the story of his friend and joint author, Merridoo Walbidi. Merridoo first saw sheep and white people at the age of about ten. He was part of one of the last Aboriginal families, to leave the WA desert country his clan inhabited through many aeons.

We Must Walk Together? Merridoo believes that’s how white fellahs and black fellahs should live their lives.

Yilagun is the Aboriginal name for Broome’s Entrance Point where significant new construction is currently taking place. Kim tells the story of Aboriginal love for this area and its abundance of fish. 

He builds on the Aboriginal closeness to country and all its denizens to his own growing up and further exploits at Tipperary Station, in the Top End of the Northern Territory. Kayaking down river avoiding large crocs, in search of that next big barramundi!

He grew up with the Dixon family. Sean loved rock fishing and developed kayaks to go that much further to catch those kingfish, tailor and tuna out from the ocean rocks of Sydney’s Eastern suburbs.

Sean’s father, Dave, was chief of staff at Sydney’s tabloid afternoon newspaper, The Daily Mirror, where at varying times the three of us learned journalism. 

A wonderful mentor, I love one story about Dave, a slightly built mild mannered reporter. A wharfie once threatened him and he mildly asked if he might take off his glasses. Then flattened the wharfie. 

“Read All About It” – as the newspaper sellers used to shriek back in the 50s and 60s on Sydney Streets.

Read Ghosts of Yilagun, and if you haven’t already, catch up, on We Must Walk Together as well!

Kim writes superbly and calls you into his world so clearly, so well!"