Woodlands Killara

31/08/2026

Vote for your favourite Australian Book of all time. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/radionational/top-100-books-2026/106621398

Will 'Seven Little Australians' make the cut?

First published in 1894, 'Seven Little Australians' is the only Australian children’s book to be in continuous print for more than 130 years. Ethel was the first Australian author to break away from the traditional British form of writing and depict an Australian family, warts and all, living in rural suburban Sydney.

Our fingers and toes are crossed!

Friends of Ethel Turner ABC Radio National Abbey Lane Tracey Salter Susannah Fullerton

Top 100 Books is Radio National's annual countdown where we hand over the reins to you. You vote for your favourite books, then we take over Radio National for a weekend to count them down.

27/06/2026

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19/05/2026

Thank you Uncle Brendan Kerin
for your beginning of Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at our Ku-ring-Gai Heritage Festival 2026: Ethel Turner-Inspiring Change. Your presence is remarkable signature of all efforts of Friends of Ethel Turner Society’s members in enhancing public awareness and articulations of Ethel Turner’s forward-thinking-vision in acknowledging and embracing presence, culture, Traditional Custodians of First Nations Peoples over 130 years ago.

Ethel Turner, among first Australian authors, articulated her respect and embracing of Origins of Country and First Nation Peoples through stories dedicated in Seven Little Australians, were removed without her acknowledgment. Now, in inheriting her cultural and literary heritage, Friends of Ethel Turner Society is honoured to receive acceptance and generosity of support from Uncle Brendan Kerin for his delivery of Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony for the very first times after past few years of honouring Ethel Turner’s timeless legacy and her enduring inspiration. The stories of Aboriginal Peoples in her Seven Little Australians might be lost, but her respect and embrace of First Nation Peoples have been restored, and
proudly inherited for maintenance and enhancement.

19/05/2026

Abbey Lane unraveling the mind of Ethel Turner, gleaned from century-old personal diaries. Many who visited comment that they not only see so much, but unexpectedly also learn so much!

19/05/2026

A snippet of Peter’s talk.

19/05/2026

The amazing Peter Poole, great-grandson of Ethel Turner, sharing from his heart.

19/05/2026

Peter Kirkwood showing how a story is told by a Didgeridoo. Such a wonderful learning experience!

19/05/2026

Thanks to Uncle Brendan Kerin for his heartfelt words from the soul of the First Nations peoples, and his wonderful smoking ceremony in the opening of the event. Thanks also to Peter Kirkwood for his insightful demonstration of the Didgeridoo.

18/05/2026

Thank you Matt Cross MP for your presence as our Honourable Guest Speaker at our Ku-ring-Gai Heritage Festival 2026: Ethel Turner-Inspiring Change.

This is such a wonderful experience for Woodlands-Friends of Ethel Turner Society’s members and visitors for having opportunity of listening to your sharing of knowledge and effort in encouraging and improving public awareness of maintaining and protecting Australia’s Cultural and Historical Heritage.

It is a great honour for all of members of The Woodlands-Friends of Ethel Turner Society to be honourably recognised by Parliament of New South Wales, Matt Cross MP, Member for Davidson for our efforts and contributions to maintaining and enhancing public heritage inheritance of Ethel Turner’s timeless legacy and her enduring inspiration.

Your recognition for our work and efforts is a great motivation for all members of Friends of Ethel Turner Society to continue our mission in sharing and articulating timeless heritage values inherited from Ethel Turner.

17/05/2026

Delighted to have Beautifully Cakes participating in the Australian Heritage Festival event at Woodlands Killara yesterday. Delicious cakes and wonderful cookies celebrating Ethel Turner. Very special, indeed! Thank you, Beautifully Cakes!