Poet Nandi Chinna and Niykina Elder Professor Anne Poelina present a poetry reading event at Mundaring Arts Centre

Poet Nandi Chinna and Nyikina Elder Professor Anne Poelina will appear at a poetry reading event at Mundaring Arts Centre on Saturday 14 September, and will be reading from their new poetry collaboration Tossed Up by the Beak of a Cormorant.

Nandi says every sentient being, like the Martuwarra River at the centre of the poetry collection, has something to teach us. ‘I have learned so many things from my practice of active relationship with the river. Hopefully a lot of this is articulated in my poetry … I suppose some of the important things I have learned would be listening, being quiet and listening to the voices of Martuwarra water and the beings that live in her, and along her banks.’

Punctuated by four long poems from Nyikina Warrwa Martuwarra guardian Anne Poelina, this collection explores meaningful and respectful responses to place through dialogue between Anne and settler-poet Nandi, and embodied immersion in Martuwarra River Country.

Anne says that knowledge making and sharing is about sustaining our lifeways and livelihoods. ‘It is important to share my knowledge with others, particularly incorporating poetry as artistic ways to bring you with us to share the magic, the living spirit of this place.’

Nandi and Anne will be presenting a reading from Tossed Up by the Beak of the Cormorant on Saturday 14 September at 12.30 pm. More information on Nandi and Anne’s event with Mundaring Arts Centre can be found via their website here.