Learning Country

A First Nations Journey Around Australia's Traditional Place Names

A highly designed, colourful picture book aimed at celebrating traditional names of well-known Australian places such as Gadigal (Sydney) and Lunawuni (Bruny Island), from a popular breakthrough Indigenous artist.

I wanted to travel this place to hear some of its old stories ... to learn.

Laugh joyfully like a kookaburra in Canberra.
Watch your toes turn red in Rubibi.
And walk soft under the bunya pines in Meeanjin.

From Gudanji/Wakaja artist Ryhia Dank comes Learning Country, a vibrant and contemporary picture book that celebrates the traditional names of well-known Australian places.

For Ages 0-5 years old

About the author

Ryhia Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja woman who grew up in a remote community in the Gulf of Carpentaria. She got to know her Country though the stories her family told, and through walking in the places and footprints her family has travelled since the beginning. Her painting is storywork, and tells stories through pattern and design. Ngurruwani Gudanji-marndi maga guda gurijba iligirra gamamjani (Gudanji people are from the fresh water and hill country.)

Ryhia Dank
Published June 2025
Hardcover
32 pages 
219 mm x 268mm
ISBN  9781460765517