Wisdom Man

by Chance, Camilla

• ISBN13: 9780143003458
• ISBN10: 0143003453
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-04-04
• Publisher: Penguin Global

Summary

Some lives, like that of Banjo Clarke, are so special thy touch countless others without trying. A descendant of Truganini, Banjo was born in the early 1920s in the Framlingham Forest near Warrnambool, Victoria, a member of the Kirrae Whurrong tribe. By the time he passed away he was known and loved by thousands for his wisdom and kindness. He carried a swag during the Depression, fought with Jimmy Sharman's famous boxing troupe, built roads for the army in World War II, and has 67 great-grandchildren. Despite the great hardships he faced, Banjo was renowned for espousing love and forgiveness, sustained by his deep connection to his land, his ancient culture and its spiritual beliefs.

Author Biography

Camilla Chance was born in Reading, England and came to Australia in 1946. She has worked as an editor at Faber and Faber, an English teacher and a book reviewer, and now lives in Warrnambool. She became a close friend of Banjo Clarke after first meeting him in 1975. At his request she began interviewing him soon after, continuing until his death some twenty-five years later. Banjo Clarke was convinced that traditional Aboriginal values could help the world counter greed, conceit, and lack of human caring, and he wanted his story recorded in his own words by someone he trusted outside his family.