Ros Ellinger.    Bellarine Landcare

This is a captivating account of a little-known part of our local history. The story of Tristan and Parwon and their families is fictional, but it is woven through a rich tapestry of actual landscapes and persons, and historically correct events. It is a pleasant, informative and thought-provoking journey. Seeds are planted not only in the landscape, but also in our minds. Steve Murphy guides us towards a future that is more inclusive, towards a more honest partnership with the First Nations people. He shows us a path we can walk together to heal a damaged land, drawing on his own and his wife Lina’s vast experience in ecology and natural resource management, and imparting their knowledge in a delightfully entertaining way. 

May the seeds Steve plants germinate and flourish, leading us to embrace and respect Aboriginal knowledge and culture and to appreciate, heal and tend our country with greater understanding.

Congratulations! This an impressive, and even potentially important, piece of work. Thank you for the opportunity to read it and comment on it. What an achievement: to captivate readers with a story, and improve their ecological knowledge and understanding along the way, as well as increase their empathy and respect for our First Nations people. ​

Peter Spear.   Batesford Landcare

​It’s a great, imaginative, and provocative read: Congratulations! 

Christina Carter.    Gumnut Trails, Melbourne

​The story of Tristan and Parwon was a captivating read that left me with a new-found appreciation and understanding of our First Nation’s rich culture and care for their land. It effortlessly brings the past and present together, through the character of Tristan, and leaves us with a feeling of hope that things can change in the future.

Dr. Kaye Rodden.   Past president, Barrabool Hills Landcare Group; Friends of the Barwon River inc.

Steve, this is epic.. I am speechless and enthralled.
Such a wonderful weaving of experience and history into this tapestry. I can see your thread woven throughout.
Thank you for  persisting and piecing together the intricate details of our landscapes’ story lines.. Ever since we talked about the casuarina parklands of the Barrabool Hills when we were researching the Flora of the Hills booklet, I have been absolutely mesmerised by the traditional owners' knowledge of landcare…