Thomas Mayo, author and tireless advocate for Indigenous rights — his dedication to storytelling and activism has made him a formidable voice in Australia's cultural and social landscape.

Based in Darwin, Mayo's steadfast dedication to amplifying First Nations voices, has led him to pen a range of influential works, from articles to essays, including Dear Son: Letters and Reflections from First Nations Fathers and Sons and Finding the Heart of the Nation. His advocacy transcends the written word, deeply resonating in his contributions to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and his vigorous campaigning for constitutional recognition.

It was during his efforts for the referendum and constitutional change that Mayo discovered the character of Hamilton from the musical, connecting with him for his stance on fighting for what you believe in and writing for constitutional change. And while Mayo is an avid reader today, his childhood was spent living out his own adventure stories — hunting, fishing, and exploring the world around him. Nowadays, he sees children's books as the perfect gift, encouraging the next generation to cultivate a love for reading.

Below, we speak to Thomas Mayo about the literary treasures on his bedside table to the stories that have left a profound impact on him.

The last book I read …

Was Ṉäku Dhäruk - The Bark Petitions, by Clare Wright. Clare is a great Australian historian and author. In this book that will be published in October, she weaves in the story telling of her Yolgnu families in a uniquely captivating telling of the Yolgnu struggle to defend their Country from destruction. I hope all Australians will read this book.

On my bedside table: I am currently reading …

Two books that are quite different. I’m reading White Tiger … I’m not far in to it, but I’m expecting an informative but action packed read. I’m also reading The Road to Freedom - Economics and The Good Society, by Joseph E. Stiglitz, which is echoing much of what I have thought about the terrible inequalities of neo-liberalism - an ideology that has funnelled wealth and power into the hands of a few at the cost of the rest of us. His explanation of freedom, and unfreedom, has been very interesting so far.

My favourite book of all time …

Is hard to decide. I want a book to move me, deeply, and what moves me depends on what is happening in my life at the time. The Book Thief, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, and The God of Small Things are stand outs.

The literary character I most identify with is …

Hamilton. Though I haven’t read a book about him, the musical blew me away because I became aware of the story as I was campaigning for the referendum and constitutional change. Hamilton stood up for the things he believed in, and he was a prolific writer toward constitutional change.

The book that changed my life is …

The Potato Factory. In my early 20’s I decided I’d start reading books again. I somewhat randomly chose this book at a second hand bookshop in the Darwin mall without realising it was the second book in a trilogy. I enjoyed it and read the other two, and I’ve continued to enjoy reading.

The best book I ever received is…

The Alchemist. Again, it’s all about what is happening in life, and when a friend gave me this book, it was timely.

The book I would give as a gift is …

Children’s books. I do everything I can to encourage children to read, and adults with their kids. There’s some brilliant children’s books by Indigenous authors with Indigenous illustrators today, and they’re vital to helping Australians become familiar with our culture and history. The devastation loss at the referendum last year was partly because many Australians are unfamiliar with who Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are. I’m confident that the next time we have an opportunity like that, though it won’t be for some time note, we will succeed, because our children will be much more familiar - they’ll have the knowledge they need to resist the lies and misconceptions about us.

Growing up, the best book on my bookshelf was …

The choose your own adventure book's. I was outside playing, fishing and hunting much more than I read books as a child.

The Australian writer I admire the most is….

Alexis Wright. She has achieved literary greatness as an Aboriginal woman and is an example for all of us.

My favourite living author is …

Tara June-Winch. We met at the Perth Writers Festival in 2019 and she suggested I write a book about fatherhood. She wrote the foreword for Dear Son - Letters and Reflections from First Nations Fathers and Sons that was published in 2020. Tara’s award winning book, The Yield, was brilliant, and I can’t wait to see what she produces next.

A book everyone should read at least once is…

Bruce Pascoe’s Dark Emu. It uses the settlers own words, and a good dose of sound logic, to overturn many of the misconceptions about pre-colonial First Nations society, technology and trade. Put this book in the hands of open minded people who don’t yet know the truth about Indigenous history and culture, and follow it up with conversation and more books on the subject.

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