Always Was, Always Will Be traces a throughline of First Nations activism woven across two centuries and into the present. Each narrative honours the strength and unwavering leadership of those who have fought for land, lore, truth, and legacy. The movements are expressions of voice: clear, collective, and deliberate. Always Was, Always Will Be is a collaborative publication between Magabala Books and Reconciliation Australia and the winner of the 2025 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards, Eve Pownall award.
The activities in the Always Was Always Will Be Teacher Notes invite students to explore deep questions of power, connection, and legacy, foregrounding lived experience as a vital part of Australia’s past and present. Each story has been paired with a thematic lens, a quote for reflection, and a set of adaptable ideas to support classroom exploration. The resource unpacks the VOICE framework which offers a structured way for students to engage meaningfully with any chapter in Always Was, Always Will Be.
