Author(s): OGDEN JOHN

THE ARTS

Saltwater People of the Broken Bays tells the history of Sydney's northern beaches, the birthplace of Australian beach culture. The story begins with a surprising revelation that the Aboriginal clans who lived along this coast, the first Saltwater People, were adept at fishing and swimming, and at home in the surf. The in-depth look at the culture of the Saltwater People shows that they not only enjoyed the surf centuries before the Europeans 'discovered' swimming and surfing, but also lived a highly sustainable lifestyle. This book creates awareness of environmental issues along these beaches, and also campaigns for a site of recognition for the first people and for ways of preserving threatened Aboriginal art sites.