Graham Jenkin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Graham Jenkin
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| Born | Graham Keith Jenkin 17 May 1938 Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation | Historian, Poet, Writer, Composer |
| Notable works | Conquest of the Ngarrindjeri, Ballad of the Blue Lake Bunyip, The Fencers Yarn |
| Notable awards | 1978 SA Biennial Literature Prize, 1979 Wilke Award for Australian non-fiction |
Graham Jenkin (born May 17, 1938) is an Australian writer, poet, and historian. He is also a talented composer and educator. Graham Jenkin has spent his life sharing stories and music, especially about Australian history and culture.
He was born in Adelaide, a city in South Australia. As a young person, he went to different schools, including Prince Alfred College. He later studied at the University of Adelaide. For a couple of years, he worked as a jackaroo, which is a trainee on a sheep or cattle station in the Australian countryside.
In 1961, Graham Jenkin started a special group called the Tea and Damper Club. This club was all about keeping Australian folklore, music, and poetry alive. It helped people remember old stories and songs from Australia's past.
Contents
Graham Jenkin's Career
Teaching and Education
From 1963 to 1965, Graham Jenkin worked as the head teacher at the primary school in Coober Pedy. This is a unique town in Australia known for its opal mining.
Later, in 1966, he became a lecturer at Wattle Park Teachers College. This college later became part of the University of South Australia. He shared his knowledge and passion for history and culture with many students.
Music and Storytelling
Graham Jenkin also loved music. In 1968, he formed a music group called The Overlanders with his wife, Robyn Jenkin, and two friends, Tony Strutton and Brenton Tregloan. They performed traditional Australian bush songs and ballads.
The Overlanders even made records! Some of their well-known albums include Songs of the Breaker (released in 1980) and Songs of the Great Australian Balladists (released in 1978). These albums helped share classic Australian stories through music.
Awards and Recognition
Graham Jenkin's hard work and dedication to Australian history did not go unnoticed. In 1996, he received a very important award. The National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) named him the National Non-Indigenous Person of the Year. This award recognized his great contributions to understanding and sharing Aboriginal history.
Books by Graham Jenkin
Graham Jenkin has written many books, sharing his love for Australian stories and history. Here are some of his notable works:
- Favourite Australian Bush Songs (1964) - written with Lionel Long.
- Two Years on Bardunyah Station (1967) - sharing his experiences as a jackaroo.
- The Famous Race for Wombat's Lace (1977).
- Songs of the Great Australian Balladists (1978) - a book version of the songs his band performed.
- Conquest of the Ngarrindjeri (1979) - this book won two awards: the 1978 SA Biennial Literature Prize and the 1979 Wilke Award for Australian non-fiction.
- Songs of the Breaker (1980).
- The Head Teacher (1980).
- Convict Times (1981) - written with others.
- The Ballad of the Blue Lake Bunyip (1982) - a fun story for younger readers.
- Calling Me Home (1989).
- The Bardunyah Ballads (1992).
- Meralte: The Boat (2003).
- The Songs from Meralte (2003).
