Meme McDonald

Author

Meme has written nine books (most recently the novel Love Like Water) that have received six major literary awards. Her other writing includes the ABC online documentary, A Year On The Wing; co-writing rock musicals Riff-Raff and Xenophobia and numerous theatre productions; and co-writing a feature filmscript based on the bestselling book – My Girragundji – written in collaboration with Boori Monty Pryor. She recently wrote and directed the short film Warrima – Shake-a-Leg Dance for YouthWorx Productions focusing on the importance of traditional dance for young indigenous men both from Melbourne and from Kuranda, North Queensland. Meme is experienced at engaging audiences of all ages and inspires creativity within others through her unique approach to writing workshops.

Where were you born?

I grew up on a sheep and cattle station in south-west Queensland doing correspondence school which arrived in weekly envelopes off the back of a truck at the end of a dusty road. Love of wide open planes, the smell of rain on dry earth, and the sound of birds at dawn remain with me as treasures of that birthplace.

What other jobs have you had?

I began my career directing theatre. As a student before then, I had all the usual jobs in kitchens and waitressing. When I first started theatre I performed in a street theatre group called The Essendon Policewomen’s Marching Band as a juggler and fire-eater.

What themes are recurring in your work?

I love this land. Writing for me is an exploration of who I am in this place and at this time. Curiosity has led to finding out more about other people around me. Five of my books have been co-written with Aboriginal storyteller Boori Monty Pryor. Through working with Boori and being part of his Birri-gubba and Kunggandji family from North Queensland, I’ve grown to understand more about myself, my family and my place living alongside one of the oldest continuing living cultures in the world. Fortunately it seems that lots of other people have enjoyed following this journey of discovery as well.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Travelling the world to tell the story of a rare migratory bird was one of the many highlights of my life. I wrote The Way Of The Birds (Allen & Unwin 1996) after returning from an international theatre tour entitled Waderbirds — Odyssey of the Wetlands which I directed. As part of this tour, a team of visual artists, musicians and performers staged outdoor theatre events in four wetland along the East Asian Australasian Flyway – Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand; Melbourne, Victoria; Broome in the north of Western Australia; Kushiro on the north island of Hokkaido, Japan. The Way of The Birds has been adapted into an award winning animation by Sarah Watt. A further adaptation of the original story has resulted in Sister Chick (Allen & Unwin 2002).

Where have your works been published?

Love Like Water has been published in Slovenia. It was very exciting receiving a copy of my book in a language I couldn’t read. Many of the other books have been released in the UK.

What are you passionate about?

Life. It’s an endless mystery. Stories. They’re a flawed attempt to understand life.