Proud Biripi author Adam Duncan has been honoured at the annual Australian Museums and Galleries Association awards for his 2023 debut work, The Bunyip and the Stars.

Taking home the Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) Kids in Print Award, the talented author – and manager of AMaGA onsite education programs – was thrilled to see his book celebrated.

AMaGA's annual awards program is dedicated to celebrating, acknowledging, and showcasing achievement within Australia's museum and gallery sector. The award is testament to Duncan's talents and his ability to connect young readers with First Nations stories.

The Bunyip and the Stars inspires young readers with an enchanting tale of connection to Country and shared knowledge. It is strikingly illustrated with engaging 3D collages by Paul Lalo of Melbourne-based animation boutique, Soymilk Studio,

A combination of a Sky Country creation story and an exciting adventure tale, The Bunyip and the Stars follows Ngariin (Big Sister) as she searches for Wumbirr (Little Brother), who has been captured by the fearsome bunyip.

Ngariin needs to draw on her knowledge of her Country, the bush and mob stories to rescue Wumbirr and escape the bunyip. Drawing on First Nations traditions, the book is also part creation story and part adventure.

Duncan developed The Bunyip and the Stars using First Nations oral storytelling traditions and the help of the Wiradjuri Preschool Children and Child Care Centre at the University of Canberra, where he works.

"I feel so privileged to have been given the opportunity to make my story, known and loved by hundreds of young people with whom I've worked over the last decade, available to a much broader audience. This book is culturally significant, as it represents a continuation of Biripi cultural practice, and I am so glad to have been involved," he said.

Exploring diverse themes such as the importance of family bonds, connection to Country and the value of shared knowledge, the book is the first in a series of five picture books featuring stories from Australia inspired by the National Museum's new immersive play space for children – the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre.

The next in the series, How the Kangaroo Got Its Pouch by author Rebecca Beetson, will be released by the National Museum in time for Christmas this year.

The picture books reinforce the National Museum's commitment to storytelling of all kinds, for visitors of all ages, encouraging conversations around themes including First Nations culture, place, identity and Australian history in an age-appropriate and inspiring way.

National Museum acting director Ruth Wilson thanked Duncan for his creative storytelling and Lalo for his unique illustrations.

"The creativity, knowledge and care Adam has shown with this book is to be commended. I thank him for his efforts in bringing to life some of the characters central to both First Nations mythology and the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre," she said.

"The illustrations are striking and sure to capture the imagination of children immersed in this story."

Illustrator Paul Lalo said he was elated to be asked to illustrate the story and work alongside Duncan on this project.

"I had a wonderful experience working with the National Museum on the illustrations for the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre and the short animation that represents the Bunyip and the Stars in it, so translating this animation into still images made a lot of sense. I hope the illustrations help connect readers to the story in a powerful way," he said.

The Bunyip and the Stars is also a wonderful example of the National Museum's commitment to storytelling of all kinds and to connecting with visitors of all ages.

Other authors set to contribute to the series include First Nations debut authors Rebecca Beetson and Lala Gutchen and award-winning children's book authors Jackie Hosking and Ursula Dubosarsky.

Manager of the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre at the National Museum, Carlie Walker, said that she was thrilled to see the diverse themes and characters found in the series extend into homes and classrooms.

"The books will build on the innovative narrative approach used in the Discovery Centre. Five unique Australian stories engage children and their carers during their visits to the centre's play and learn space and the book series will extend this experience into homes and classrooms," she said.

AMaGA is the national peak body for museums and galleries and their annual awards recognise excellence and best practice across Australia's cultural sector.

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