Author Talk/Book Launch - Worlds Within a World
Join us at Subiaco Library to celebrate the launch of Worlds Within a World, a collection of stories from First Nations women edited by Casey Mulder. This special panel discussion will bring together the book's contributors as they share their stories and inspire us with their strength, honesty and courage. Books will be available for sale at the Dymocks Subiaco book stall after the event.
About the book
How do you inhabit multiple worlds at the same time? Five First Nations women show what it is like to navigate challenges and deprivations while staying connected to Country and the world’s oldest living culture.
They recount memories of growing up – as members of the Stolen Generations, in an adopted family, or within loving families shadowed by adversity. With honesty and courage, these women show how education and cultural connection can transform lives. The reflections in these stories are an invitation to learn from the past. Their contribution to truth-telling will inspire and guide future generations.
Featuring contributions from: Carol Foley (Yamatji Noongar), Deborah Green (Yamatji), Barb Hostalek (Yawuru Gija / Territorian, Czech and Greek), Lois May (Ballardong Noongar), and Valerie Swift (Minang Ngadju).
About the contributors
CAROL FOLEY
Carol (Coral) Anne Blurton (Foley) was born in Carnarvon, Western Australia. At an early age, she became ill and was placed under the care of the State. She is a proud Yamatji Noongar woman living on Noongar Boodja in Perth. She has two adult children and an extensive family network. Her life’s journey has involved growing up in a non-Aboriginal family and later reconnecting with her Aboriginal family through Welfare and various life experiences. Writing her story has been an important part of her healing process.
DEBORAH GREEN
Deborah Green is also known as Yungaji (her wajarri name). She is a yamatji nyarlu who comes from both the Wajarri and Badimia language groups. Deborah has spent most of her life between the two Western Australian towns of Morawa, where she was proudly born, and Geraldton where she has raised her three sons. Deborah has spent her forty-nine years learning how to be a decent mother, woman and human being in the hope that she can pass it on to future generations.
BARBARA HOSTALEK
Barb Hostalek is Aboriginal Australian, born and raised-up on Larrakia Country, living and creating on moorditj Noongar Country of the south-west, Western Australia. Her apical ancestry is connected to East Kimberly’s areas on her mum’s side with Irish and Scottish bloods and on her dad’s, Czech/Greek and Castellorizio. Barb is a drama queen and writes plays. Her mainstage premieres have been produced by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company and include: Cracked (2015), Banned (2016), Thirst (2019), Perpetuity (2020) and Beyond (2021). Her other short contemporary plays developed as a member of Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company’s Writers Group are: Go Fish (2017), Turtle Pool (2018), Prickly (2021), Business (2024) and Funny Business (2025) are yet to be staged.
LOIS MAY
Lois May is the fourth eldest of eight children. Her mother’s families are Yarran, Bolten, Bennell and Garlett; her father’s are Humphrey, Winmar and Turvey. Lois is a mother of four children and grandmother of nine, with four great-grandchildren. Her early childhood was mainly spent between Kellerberrin and Tamin in the Eastern Wheatbelt (Ballardong Country in a place called Bungulla). After school she trained as a ladies hairdresser before going on to manage her own salon. Lois has worked as an Aboriginal Islander Education Officer, and an Aboriginal Liaison Officer and Coordinator supporting schools, Aboriginal workers, students and families. She has worked in many non-government organisations, sharing and integrating cultural safety strategies to encourage self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island People in the workplace and raise awareness for all Australians.
VALERIE SWIFT
Valerie Swift, a proud Minang Elder, was born at the Gnowangerup Mission Hospital in 1953 on the traditional lands of the Goreng people. A member of the Gray–Knapp family, with extensive family connections across Western Australia and Traditional connections to the Ngadju peoples, Valerie grew up in Jerramungup with her 17 siblings, spending her childhood living off the land in a tin humpy in the bush.
Adjunct Professor Swift is currently a Co-Director of the Djaalinj Waakinj Centre for Ear and Hearing Health Centre and is the Aboriginal Cultural Advisor for The Kids Research Institute Australia’s Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases in Perth. She is a qualified Aboriginal health professional, adjunct professor at Curtin University, Aboriginal researcher and committee member of Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation, Babbingur Mia Aboriginal Family Support Program, and Yarramoup Aboriginal Corporation. She has had a distinguished career in health, education and welfare services management, driving new initiatives and striving for change to improve the effectiveness of Aboriginal programs.
About the editor
CASEY MULDER
Casey Mulder is a Ballardong Noongar educator, writer and editor from Quairading. She works with a wide range of publishing companies, such as HarperCollins, Audible, UWA Publishing, Night Parrot Press, Allen & Unwin, Affirm Press, Simon and Schuster, Penguin Random House, Hachette, Fremantle Press and Magabala Books. She is the Director of First Nations Writing and Programs at the Centre for Stories and is currently working on a creative non-fiction manuscript. Casey takes joy in supporting mob to tell our stories in our ways.
Event starting time
Doors will open for this event at 6pm, with the event beginning at 6:15pm. Due to the library's regular opening hours entry is not possible before 6pm, so please plan accordingly.
Getting to the event
Subiaco Library has limited parking bays available at the rear of the building including two accessible parking bays. For more information on getting around Subiaco visit the city’s website.
Access and inclusion
Subiaco Library is wheelchair accessible . For additional information please contact Subiaco Library on 9237 9300.
Ticket information
You are not required to bring a ticket with you. Names will be checked at the door. Please note that space is limited and registration is essential. Please only register if you will definitely be attending.
More information
For more events and programs at Subiaco Library visit the City of Subiaco events calendar, follow the Subiaco Library on Facebook or join the Cultural Services e-newsletter database by emailing library@subiaco.wa.gov.au.