Boffins Books is delighted to partner with The Lane Bookshop, The City of Perth Library and Writing WA to host Stan Grant on Murriyang.
About the Event
Stan Grant delves into themes of time, family and spirituality - talking about his compelling new work, Murriyang: Song of Time, with William Yeoman, Writing WA CEO, including a special guest appearance by musician Phil Walleystack.
Stan Grant, author of the bestseller Talking to My Country and former host of Q+A, Stan is recognised for his insightful political commentary and journalism. In Murriyang, he blurs the lines between the political and the personal, asking us to sit in the space where they overlap.
In this book Stan reflects, in part, on the outcome of the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum through an entirely new lens. By positioning this moment in history away from Western notions of linear time he captures much more in a reflection on the history, literature, theology, music and the art that have shaped him. Drawing on Wiradjuri spirituality and the practice of Yindyamarra – a philosophy of deep respect and thoughtful reflection – he illuminates what it means to seek truth in an area of profound change. Renowned for his journalism, advocacy and piercing insights into Australia’s cultural fabric, Stan invites us to pause and consider the spiritual and social forces shaping our world today.
The event will take place at the Perth Town Hall where Stan will be joined in conversation with William Yeoman - literary editor, facilitator, festival director and Writing WA CEO. The event includes a short performance by special guest Phil Walleystack, a Noongar singer-songwriter, musician, writer, entrepreneur, tv presenter and ambassador for Aboriginal arts in Western Australia.
Doors will open from 5.45pm for a 6:15pm start and includes a drink and light refreshments on arrival. Pre-signed copies of Stan's books will be able to purchase prior to the event. Stan will also be available to sign personalised copies of his books after the event.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s most influential voices.
This event is proudly presented by Boffins Books, The Lane Bookshop, The City of Perth Library and Writing WA.
Book your tickets now.
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About Murriyang: Song of Time
Stan Grant is talking to his country in a new way. In his most poetic and inspiring work yet, he offers a means of moving beyond the binaries and embracing a path to peace and forgiveness, rooted in the Wiradjuri spiritual practice of Yindyamarra – deep silence and respect.
Murriyang, in part Grant’s response to the Voice referendum, eschews politics for love. In this gorgeous, grace-filled book, he zooms out to reflect on the biggest questions, ranging across the history, literature, theology, music and art that has shaped him. Setting aside anger for kindness, he reaches past the secular to the sacred and transcendent.
Inspired by spiritual thinkers from around the world, Murriyang is a Wiradjuri prayer in one long uninterrupted breath, challenging Western notions of linear time in favour of a time beyond time – the Dreaming.
Murriyang is also very personal, each meditation interleaved with a memory of Grant’s father - a Wiradjuri cultural leader. It asks how any of us can say goodbye to those we love.
This is a book for our current moment, and something for the ages.
About Stan Grant
Stan Grant is a Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi man. He is a public intellectual who has worked as a journalist, presenter, filmmaker and author. In his journalism he has reported from more than 80 countries, won three Walkley Awards, a Logie Award and four Asia TV Awards. As a writer he has published seven books including the bestselling Talking to My Country, which won the Walkley Book Award.
His list of awards includes three-time winner of Australia’s highest journalism honour the Walkley Award, four-time winner of the prestigious Asia TV awards, an Australian TV Logie Award, twice winner of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts award and twice winner of the US Peabody Award. From 2022–23, Grant hosted the ABC’s current affairs panel program Q+A. He holds a Doctor of Letters from the University of New South Wales and a Doctor of Theology from Charles Sturt University.
About Phil Walleystack
Phil Walleystack is a Noongar singer-songwriter, musician, writer, entrepreneur, tv presenter and ambassador for Aboriginal arts in Western Australia. Over the past decade, he has performed globally and is also a presenter and cultural advisor for the NITV series Aussie Bush Tales and a broadcaster at 100.9fm Noongar Radio for the national program Indigenous Beats. Raised in country Western Australia, he learned traditional songs, dance, and bush survival from his elders and is dedicated to promoting reconciliation and diversity by sharing stories of Noongar culture.
About William Yeoman
William Yeoman is the CEO of Writing WA and is an experienced literary editor, journalist and director of various Writers Festival in Western Australia.
