Amaria Stark
Amaria Stark was born in country Victoria, spent her early years in remote Arnhem Land, and now lives in Melbourne. Her parents migrated from the Netherlands and she was the first of nine children. They grew up without television, but surrounded by books and opportunities to be creative. Amaria's childhood ambition was to become an author and illustrator... instead she became a primary school teacher and a Mum, and her dream was put on hold. She never stopped writing and drawing, however, and when the time came to retire from teaching, she published her first book. Amaria's art and writing are inspired by the Australian landscape, its unique ecology and rich history. She hopes that her words and images will inspire others to feel a connection with our land, too; to appreciate it a little more thankfully and tread a little more thoughtfully.
Picture book
Silent Sentinel
A gnarled old redgum stands by the creek. It has witnessed many changes since it first sprouted among the ancient basalt stones more than three centuries ago. This book is an artist's impression of the stories it could tell; of the Wurundjeri people who followed the rhythm of the seasons to the arrival of strangers who settled and made their new home among the gumtrees. It tells of change that came as both the tree and the city continued to grow, and the grasslands disappeared. It is a story of human impact on the land, but ends on a note of hope for the future as people become aware of the tree, standing as a silent sentinel on the land which is our legacy.
