News edition for 5 August 2026. Added to Nungya on 22 October 2026 as part of our retrospective news archive. Reporting reflects information available by the edition date.
A second-hand book can leave a very long impression. In a personal reflection published by State Library of Queensland on 10 July, Corey Tutt traces a line from a childhood gift to sharing a reptile book in First Nations languages.
Tutt recalls a fascination with snakes, lizards and turtles while growing up on Yuin Country, spending time with his grandfather on Kamilaroi Country and living in South Australia. His grandfather gave him a copy of Harold Cogger’s Reptiles in Colour in 1998.
Years later, at the Indigenous Languages Forum, Tutt found himself presenting a reptile book of his own. His account describes the response of people exploring the book and the connection between scientific curiosity, language and family legacy.
The story is worth reading in Tutt’s own words. It gives a personal view of something that can disappear behind broad discussions of education: encouragement from one person can remain important across decades.
It also shows language appearing in a subject children already love. Learning about animals and learning through culture can occupy the same pages, inviting curiosity to travel in more than one direction.
The linked reflection names a deceased family member.
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