Holocaust Island

Written when the author was in prison, this collection remains a poignant historical plea for Aboriginal justice – from Black deaths in custody to Land Rights – and bears witness to contemporary Indigenous issues. The remarkable Holocaust Island was the inaugural winner of the David Unaipon Award in 1989. Graeme Dixon began writing poetry while he was in Fremantle Prison and his poems address contemporary and controversial issues – from Black deaths in custody to the struggles of single mothers – and are as relevant today as when his book was first published. This dynamic collection is threaded with poems of spirited humour and sharp satire. Dixon’ s powerful voice rings out loud and clear.

Graeme Dixon (1955– 2010) was born in Perth, Western Australia. Between the ages of ten and fourteen he lived in a Salvation Army Boys Home, before being expelled from school. He was in and out of reformatories and at sixteen ended up in Fremantle Prison where is spent most of the next nine years. His first poetry collection, Holocaust Island, was written in prison and was the inaugural winner of the David Unaipon Award in 1989. Graeme Dixon (1955– 2010) was born in Perth, Western Australia. Between the ages of ten and fourteen he lived in a Salvation Army Boys Home, before being expelled from school. He was in and out of reformatories and at sixteen ended up in Fremantle Prison where is spent most of the next nine years. His first poetry collection, Holocaust Island, was written in prison and was the inaugural winner of the David Unaipon Award in 1989.

Introduction by Ali Cobby Eckermann PRISON SPIRIT Prison Black death Regrets Escape! Yigga’ s run Battle heroes Darryl Genocide Prison spirit HOLOCAUST ISLAND Doomed prophecy Re-enactment W.A.S.P. / S.W.A.T. Six feet of land rights Holocaust island When Home Pension day Single Mum Where? Oldies $2 a bottle dreams Hypocritic sponsorship A unfortunate life To let Black magic Country girl Noongah girl The artist Broome bound Glossary