The award-winning Aboriginal author who gives her prize money away

Melissa Lucashenko was 14 years old when she first learned of her Aboriginal Bundjalung heritage. She didn't think much of it at the time, having 'absorbed the lessons of white supremacy' she says, but after leaving home as a young woman she began to discover her identity for herself. Seeking out elders in her community and eventually moving back to her ancestral lands, she 'learned what it meant to be Aboriginal' she says, all while writing prize-winning stories about modern Aboriginal life. Today she is one of Australia's most celebrated novelists - her latest novel Edenglassie won seven awards - but she gives most of her substantial prize money away. She tells Jo Fidgen why.

In January 2020, Dagmar Turner was woken up in the middle of her brain surgery and handed a violin. It was her idea. She was an amateur but committed violinist and was willing to go to drastic lengths to keep playing the instrument. Dagmar had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in her right frontal lobe. It was dangerously close to areas of her brain that were responsible for coordinating delicate movements in her left hand - essential for her musical talent. So she sought the help of Dr Keyoumars Ashkan - he was a respected neurosurgeon but also an accomplished musician, so he understood her love of music. Dr Ashkan agreed to perform an incredibly rare procedure where Dagmar would play the violin during surgery so that he and his team could remove only brain tissue that would not damage her music skills. This interview was first broadcast in 2020.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Zoe Gelber

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(Photo: Melissa Lucashenko. Credit: Glenn Hunt)