Trevor Fourmile

Trevor is from the Yidinji people from northern Queensland. How the Cassowary got its Helmet and Bajirriga the Turtle are stories based on the coastal rainforest told in traditional style and are illustrated by his mother, Lillian Fourmile.

Trevor whose Yidinji name is Bumi (lightning flash) is a health worker for Queensland Health. He is interested in teaching the younger generation his culture through traditional dancing, story telling and writing children's books. Readers are encouraged to think about their relationship to the community as well as enjoying these wonderful traditional stories.

How the Cassowary got its helmet was a winner in the inaugural Black Ink Writing and Illustrating award. It is a story made up by Trevor as he remembered the stories told by his grandfather, and he also thanks his father for passing on the traditions and his mother for her artwork.

Bajirriga the Turtle is a full-colour, picture story book for young readers. It is written in a traditional storytelling style and incorporates bold, stylized images.

The story is about an age-old tale of the conflict of youth - Bajirriga won't cooperate with his community, and the consequences are dramatic. This story was also inspired after listening to the stories told by his grandfather.

Trevor has become a promoter of literature and a popular speaker at schools where he shares his culture to the younger generation through storytelling and brings stories from their Yidinji family to life.