Townsville launches cultural resource – My Deadly Book About Me

A limited number of free copies of an exciting cultural resource called My Deadly Book About Me will be offered to members of Townsville’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations in July.

The Bullroarer and Althea Projects Inc are partnering to launch My Deadly Book About Me – a vital cultural resource for people learning about their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural ancestry, heritage and identity.

The 80-page book will be launched and 200 copies sold or given away during Townsville’s NAIDOC Family Fun Day.   

My Deadly Book About Me is the creation of Michelle Tyhuis, who has Torres Strait Islander ancestry and is a qualified journalist, graphic designer and visual artist.  The book has been a dream of Tyhuis’ for many years.

“I am excited to be sharing My Deadly Book About Me with the local community with the support of Althea Projects,” said author Michelle Tyhuis, 39, from small business The Bullroarer.

“I created it especially for people who are growing their understanding of their cultural identity and who would benefit from a strong cultural framework to guide them on this important journey.”

Althea Projects is a major sponsor behind the new cultural resource which has enabled the trial copies to be shared with the local community and general public. 

The activities inside of My Deadly Book About Me are carefully developed to appeal to First Australian’s cultural needs and offer pathways to improving their overall health, wellbeing and wellness.  Over 60 topics explore personal identity, family tree, traditional languages, personal and family totems, bush tucker, family customary practices and much more. 

CEO of Althea Projects, Paula La Rosa, is proud to be supporting My Deadly Book About Me as part of the organisation taking a lead role towards reconciliation, with the new cultural resource fitting within their Reconciliation Action Plan. 

Althea Projects plays an important role in the community in providing individual and family support and emergency and respite accommodation for children.  Many of their Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander clients come from foster and kinship care, aged care and homelessness backgrounds.

“Supporting this project was one of the easiest and proudest decisions I have ever made”, said Ms La Rosa.  “We believe in the power of My Deadly Book About Me in helping to maintain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples connection with their cultures, their homelands and their local community.”

“Having a strong sense of belonging and identity is such an important part of being able to cope with life’s challenges.  This book can help people become the best version of themselves, and I can see real benefit for First Australian families we currently support.”

Members of the local Indigenous community receiving copies of the pilot trial edition of My Deadly Book About Me are invited to complete an online survey or participate in a focus group – to add their voice and perspective to the book project.

To win a copy of the book at NAIDOC Family Fun Day, people must have Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ancestry and correctly complete a short Quiz.  Bound copies of My Deadly Book About Me will also be on sale for $65 for those who don’t want to miss out.

To find out more, or to pre-order a copy of My Deadly Book About Me, call author Michelle Tyhuis on 0411 503 801 or email mydeadlybookaboutme@gmail.com.