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Uncle Herb Wharton a Queensland Great
by Stephen Hagan
U
ncle Herb Wharton, an international renowned author from Cunnamulla in southwest Queensland was named one of 2013 Queensland Greats along with hair dresser Stefan Ackerie, Dr Dimity Dornan AM, Tim Fairfax AM, Professor G. Q. Max Fu FAA FTSE and Australian Red Cross Society by Premier Campbell Newman at a ceremony in Brisbane yesterday. Every year Queensland Greats are honoured with commemorative
plaques displayed proudly at Roma Street Parkland in the state’s capital These awards honour individuals and institutions whose long-term or lifetime achievements played a significant role in the history and development of Queensland. Uncle Herb, an Elder of the Kooma people of southwest Queensland, is a prize winning author, story teller and poet, having written seven books. Uncle Herb has travelled the world taking part in literacy festivals and serving as an ambassador of Australian literature
Uncle Herb Wharton with his Queensland Greats plaque. Image: Jennifer Wharton
and for Aboriginal Australia. Uncle Herb’s writing is read and studied at schools and universities across the nation. He has been recognised with numerous awards for his outstanding and lifelong contributions to Australian literature. Uncle Herb, a role models for his people, has been a mentor to younger generations since 1993, when he participated in the first Aboriginal Writer’s tour in Queensland.
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