Melissa-Jane Fogarty (text) and Dylan Finney (illustrator), Tubowgule: a Sydney Opera House History, Lothian Children’s Books, March 2025, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780734423351
This beautiful non-fiction narrative picture book traces the history of Tubowgule (tube-uh-gahlee) a Dharug word meaning ‘where the knowledge waters meet’, now the site of the Sydney Opera House. The story starts more than 60,000 years ago when the Gadi people gathered there, fishing, hunting, singing and sharing stories. After the British arrived, it became Cattle Point, for the colony’s horses and cattle. At a similar time, it was known as Limeburners’ Point, using the shells from first nations’ middens to create lime to use on the new houses.
When Governor Arthur Phillip befriends Bennelong, the area returns to being a meeting place for Aboriginal people. Fort Macquarie’s construction changed the landscape, connecting the Tubowgule with the mainland. This area later was rezoned for the Fort Macquarie Tram Shed, built to reflect the former colonial construction, and to house the new electric trams.
Change came again from 1955 when the area was chosen as the site for the new opera house. Details are included of the process of choosing the architect, the construction, the opening in 1973 and the addition to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007. It’s again a place of gathering where songs are sung, stories are told, dances are danced and knowledge and culture are shared.
Throughout the book, in addition to the main narrative there are text boxes with information, often focusing on a particular person or process. The final page includes further information, each box specific to previous pages. Dylan Finney’s vibrant (and for me, tactile) illustrations use rich earthy colours, especially purples, yellows and oranges. He’s made good use of ‘white space’ helping the reader absorb everything.
The book is accessible to early childhood readers, but could be a springboard into history, art or language for older students and adults. This is a great addition to the literature about Australia, recognizing the interconnection between the past and the present.
Teaching notes are available at the publisher’s website.
Reviewed by Maureen Mann