Deb Fitzpatrick, Maddy McAllister: Shipwreck Detective (Aussie STEM Stars), Wild Dingo Press, February 2024, 151 pp., RRP $15.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781925893823
This is one of a series of biographies sketching the lives of of women who have become, in turn, an outstanding archaeologist, plastic surgeon, reptile biologist, green engineer or primate scientist. There are lives of men too who have taken on unusual careers, such as a Fossil hunter, or one who has become a ‘superstar maths teacher’.
This book in the series follows the life of Maddy McAllister as she moved home several times with her mum after a divorce, fell in love with ponies, learned to snorkel with her grandfather at Geographe Bay near Busselton in the Margaret River Region, and gradually came to realise that her passion for archaeology and for scuba diving came together beautifully in the possible career of a marine archaeologist. It takes some negotiation with her wider family to convince them that following one’s passion is more important than securing a safe profession for the sake of economic security.
We follow Maddy through a gap year marked by the death of her beloved grandfather, and on to Flinders University where she completes a degree in Archaeology and goes on to a Masters course in Maritime Archaeology. Dr Maddy McAllister is these days Senior Curator of maritime archaeology at Queensland Museum, and holds a number of other important professional roles in Australia and internationally. Her career is in full flight.
Deb Fitzpatrick has done an excellent job of researching, organising and then telling this story in such a way that Maddy seems entirely normal while also being one of those individuals who will never be distracted from her passion. The story that emerges is inspiring. The book comes with a glossary, a list of ‘cool shipwreck facts’ and on request a set of teaching notes. Recommended for readers from 9 to 14.
Reviewed by Kevin Brophy
