Thank you to all those who attended our sold out Book+Author talk last Thursday at Bard’s Apothecary! In a full room, convener Dr Yves Rees spoke to Dr Jess Urwin (University of Tasmania) about her newly published book Contaminated Country: Nuclear Colonialism and Aboriginal Resistance in Australia (Melbourne University Publishing). 

Jess became interested in the intersections between nuclear weapons and colonial structures while studying International Relations, eventually moving into the field of history to complete her doctoral studies. Contaminated Country explores how settler mythologies of the desert as empty and hostile to ‘civilised’ life, and colonial narratives of scientific progress, were used to justify the use of First People’s lands for nuclear testing. 

The hope with the book, said Jess, is that contemporary debates about nuclear mining and testing be given historical context instead of existing only in the present.

Jess answered questions from an engaged audience about Indigenous people’s responses to the testing, narratives of the events adopted by political leaders in subsequent decades, and Australia’s defence ties to Britain at the time. 

Keep an eye on our newsletter and social media channels to be the first to know about the next Book+Author event, taking place on 22 October with Don Watson. 

Remember, Friends of the HCV recieve priority booking and attend for free! Sign up here.