Cover image, Fight for the Franklin

‘So what did you do, Grandpa?’ asked Fern. 

‘We set up a protest camp right in the middle of these towering giants. We hung rainbow flags, and we sang songs. We were one big family fighting for this river, cold and wet but full of hope. I’ve never eaten so many lentils in my life!’

Fern tried to imagine it. 

Join Fern as she learns about the fight to save Tasmania’s Franklin River from being dammed. This was the biggest environmental protest in Australia’s history. There were marches across the country, a protest camp in the middle of the forest and bulldozers on barges met by yellow inflatable boats.

Backmatter includes educational spreads on the Save the Franklin campaign, how to be a change-maker, and personal reflections from blockaders such as Bob Brown, Michael Mansell and Jill McCulloch—illustrated with historic photographs.

About the Author

Jane Jolly is a primary school teacher in Adelaide. She has written many award-winning picture books, including Tea and Sugar Christmas and Radio Rescue for NLA Publishing. Her books have been previous winners of the ABIA Small Publisher Children’s Book of the Year award, and shortlisted and longlisted in many CBCA award categories. 

About the Illustrator

Lois Bury’s award-winning titles The Way of the Weedy Seadragon and The Bird Lovers’ Ball are highlights of her illustrating journey. 

Fight for the Franklin is a special project for her, as she loves bushwalking in the Tasmanian South-west wilderness and her sister even spent her 1982 Christmas in jail as part of the Franklin Blockade.