CBCA Book of the Year Award-winning author Kate Gordon discusses her latest book, Whalesong, a timeslip adventure woven around Tasmania’s whaling history.

Where did the inspiration for Whalesong come from?

I’ve always wanted to write a timeslip story like Playing Beatie Bow (my favourite book as a child). I was also fascinated by news reports of statues being torn down—statues of the men throughout history who were once revered but now, through a 2020s lens, are being reconsidered and their worth re-evaluated. And then there is my lifelong love of whales and my fascination with their place in Tasmanian history.

When I began my residency at the Tasmanian Maritime Museum, these disparate threads began to weave together. And then, while exploring the “magical” objects in their collection, I found a marine chronometer and numerous pieces of beautiful scrimshaw, and I had there the catalysts for my magical journey. It was such a privilege to be able to explore so many passions and fascinations at the one time in this story!

This is your first foray into timeslip and historical fiction. What was it like to write in this new genre?

Quite honestly I think this is the most challenging story I’ve ever written. As it is loosely based on facts, I felt such a responsibility to balance the “history” with the magical elements of the story, sensitively portraying real figures and events while taking “artistic license” with events and personal narratives. I hope I got it right!

I also felt a huge responsibility to my beloved island and my favourite city in the world, to show it in all its beauty and complexity. I want Hobartians and particularly the children of Tasmania to feel pride when they read this story and to think that I have done our amazing home justice.

What is your personal connection to Tasmanian history and how has that influenced the story?

I have always said that I identify as a Tasmanian first and Australian second. I have such a deep, abiding connection to my island. I feel like there’s no place on Earth quite like it. On my father’s side, our connection to this island goes back many generations (obviously this pales in comparison with the connection the palawa people feel to nipaluna).

My grandmother’s family founded the town of Geeveston and were prominent figures in Tasmanian history.

I have never lived anywhere else and never would. My heart hurts when I’m not here.

I’ve always been fascinated by Tasmanian history and have worked as a librarian in history collections. Our island famously has a “dark past” but there is so much joy in our history too. The white people’s treatment of the true custodians of this island is reprehensible and I feel like the echoes of it will live here forever. I hope I have done this part of Whalesong justice and made a case for making reparations for history and for doing a better job of looking after this island that doesn’t truly belong to us.

Is Aberdeen based on anyone in particular?

As a kid I was fiercely passionate about environmental issues. I became a vegetarian at age nine after watching a news segment on abattoirs. I kept a scrapbook about animal rights. I see this same fire in my ten-year-old daughter. She is a quiet kid but with deep morals and passion for the environment. There is so much of both of us in Aberdeen but it’s mostly my kid. She’s much braver than I ever was!

How much of Whalesong is based on real-life history?

I was lucky enough to be awarded a writer-in-residence fellowship at the Tasmanian Maritime Museum in Hobart, over several months in 2021. I was given access to their library and collection of maritime objects, and I had the best time completely immersing myself in Tasmanian maritime history.

I didn’t want to write a book that was strictly fact and have definitely taken artistic license, using the real-life history as a backdrop. Having a firm foundation in the true history meant I could play with the plot, weaving touches of magic around real events. It was an absolute delight to do so.

Whalesong includes folk songs & poems. What drew you to them?

I found a beautiful treasure trove of information at the Maritime Museum, but I also used the collections at the State Library and the National Library of Australia, as well as internet video and archive sources, to round out my research into sea shanties. This was one of the most fun parts of the research process as I love sea shanties!

Whaling has ended in Australia, but continues elsewhere. How can we help protect the whales?

I am a huge fan of the work of Sea Shepherd Australia and would encourage readers to consider donating. Greenpeace and Marine Conservation Australia also do great work in this space.

You touch on issues relating to the people we celebrate from a historical perspective. Why is that significant?

I’d encourage readers to take a walk around their own towns and cities. Look at the street names and find out who they’re named for. Look at the statues that have been constructed to honour people of history and research who these people really were. What do the people who are depicted have in common? You might be surprised at what you find.

Think about how we can do better. One way is to petition councils and governments to erect statues to the people who really deserve them—especially the unsung people of history. How many statues are there in your town depicting Aboriginal Australians or immigrants or women or disabled people or those who have fought for equality or recognition?

There is a movement bubbling now to really look at the ways in which history is remembered and depicted. Let’s keep the discussion going!

What sort of message do you hope readers will take from Whalesong?

I’ve always said that I write for children because children are inherently so full of hope. By the time we reach adulthood, as a consequence of the traumas and tragedies that life will inevitably show us, some of that hope has dulled. But children see the world through a lens of dreams and wishes and I love capturing that in my writing.

I also have such faith that the positivity of children will help us to heal this wounded world and I hope that this is the underlying message of Whalesong—that the dreams of “small” people can make a big change in the world

Have you ever seen a real-life whale in Tasmania, like the ones Aberdeen is trying to protect?

I have! And what a beautiful privilege it was. I have also seen Sammy the seal on multiple occasions—a true Hobart icon who deserves a statue of his own.