History In-Conversation: Growing Roots

Growing Roots addresses the previously undocumented contribution of Italians and Croatians in the southwest timber industry based on personal testimony. Their stories are intertwined with the opening up of land for settlement, the developments within the timber industry and the tug-of-war over the preservation and use of native forests – a conflict that still rages on today. It provides insight into the lives of Italian and Croatian pioneers in their struggle to build a life in this State.

About the author:

Christina grew up on the island of Malta. She travelled extensively with her husband Bjorn, living for short periods in Geneva, Stockholm and Iran before finally settling in Western Australia in 1982. Christina obtained a doctorate in social/political science at Murdoch University in 1998. Christina’s professional career included lecturing at West Australian Universities, management positions within the public service of WA, sitting on the bench of the Equal Opportunity Tribunal and public policy consultant to the Premier of WA. In 2008, she decided that it was time to realise a long held dream and go sailing around the world. After 11 years of sailing and travelling, Christina returned to live in Perth with her husband. She took up the pen again to address a long held goal to tell the stories of the Italian and Croatian early settlers who migrated to Western Australia in the previous century.