Five minutes with Tara June Winch
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The ‘yield’ in English is the reaping, the things that man can take from the land.
In the language of the Wiradjuri ‘yield’ is the things you give to, the movement, the space between things: baayanha.
Profoundly moving and exquisitely written, Tara June Winch’s The Yield is the story of a people and a culture dispossessed. But it is as much a celebration of what was and what endures, and a powerful reclaiming of Indigenous language, storytelling and identity.
We caught up with Tara June ahead of her in conversation with Wiradjuri woman Sarah Burr at Muse next Sunday 7 July.
How vital do you think language is to cultural belonging? And in particular in the Australian context?
Language is so powerful, when we learn another language another world truly does open for us. Our languages are part of the cultural fabric of Australia, they are as unique and precious as our great landscapes and natural phenomena.
They must be protected and embraced by all Australians to fully understand our identity as citizens from and living on sacred Aboriginal lands.
Have you always been exposed to Wiradjuri language? What was your journey to learning Wiradjuri?
No, we didn’t grow up with it. I began researching it and studying Stan Grant Snr’s dictionary in 2004 while writing Swallow the Air, which contains a few Wiradjuri words.
I knew I wanted to write something then with more language in it.
You’re based in France for much of the time these days. How has living abroad changed your perspective on Australia?
I think memory becomes more vivid at a distance, I hope I was able to evoke the Australian landscape, especially a landscape I didn’t particularly know very well.
The style of The Yield is very unique – combining personal stories, a Wiradjuri dictionary element and letters – how tricky was it to get this right?
It was just years of trial and error until I felt, and people around me felt, that the book was unified.
That the stories bounced off each other in the right way. It was tricky getting dates correct because my brain just can’t cope with numbers.
You write beautifully and gently but this is a tale of historical (and ongoing) horror. What is the toll of writing about this subject matter?
It took a huge physical, mental and emotional toll on me, and I’m still recovering. It really ripped my heart out doing the research and getting the words assembled on the page.
I will take a break with the next book, I think I’ll always return to Australian stories because they are the stories that make me up and affect me most, but at the moment I do need a breather.
Can you offer any reading recommendations for those wanting to learn more about Indigenous life and culture?
Reading all our stories, fiction and memoir, and especially the non-fiction coming out of Magabala Books.
What’s on your TBR pile?
Tony Birch’s The White Girl.
the essentials
What: Tara June Winch in conversation with Sarah Burr
When: Sunday 7 July from 3-4 pm
Where: Muse Books, inside East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston
Tickets: $15, includes a complimentary glass of wine or juice
More information: via the website
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