When Aunty Barbara Nicholson first stepped foot in Junee Correctional Centre 13 years ago to teach creative writing to Indigenous inmates she thought it was going to be a "one-off".

Last week the 2024 Wollongong Citizen of the Year launched the 12th volume of her Dreaming Inside: Voices from the Junee Correctional Centre series capturing and publishing stories and poems from those on the inside.

“It’s been a journey of discovery and learning, starting from the very beginning when we said to each other, ‘How do we make a book?’" Aunty Barb said at the launch at Wollongong Art Gallery on Thursday, May 23.

“We had no bloody idea what we were doing on that first trip, we were just winging it.” 

Aunty Barb and her small team have returned to Junee every year since 2011 when her ‘Dreaming Inside’ project had such small beginnings.

“The fact that 13 years ago we had six inmate writers and now we have 127 for the latest edition, I think that success speaks for itself.”

Aunty Barb said the project is helping change lives and build confidence for some of our nation’s most disadvantaged.

“The fact they see themselves in print, you can see the change in them and their change of attitude. Some of them say they can’t write, and I say, 'I’ve got five books that show you can.'

“It’s not all fun. Sometimes some of the inmates are so traumatised. I don’t know how many times I’ve had them melt down on my shoulders and I’m mopping up their tears,” Aunty Barb said.

‘Dreaming Inside’ is a unique project and it earned Aunty Barb a Lifetime Achievement Award to First Nations Literature. It was at that award presentation where she met fellow First Nations author, Graham Akhurst, who officially launched the latest book.

“The need for truth telling and this chance for our mob to tell our own story in our own way is so important,” Graham said.

And ‘Dreaming Inside’ is inspiring other Australian jails to promote writing amongst inmates, many of whom have never written a story or poem before. 

“There isn’t another platform in this country where we can share their stories like these inmates do,” Aunty Barb said. “We provide them with another string in their toolkit and what they choose to do with that is up to them.” 

The book launch was supported by dancers Dale and the Dinawan's Connection who staged a mini corroboree in the city art gallery. “Some of these welcome dances date back 40,000 years,” Dale said.

One of Aunty Barbara’s biggest supporters, youth justice social worker Joshua Nimmo Mestre, told the 100-strong crowd he’d witnessed the changes in the lives of the inmates who’d been involved in ‘Dreaming Inside’.

“When Aunty Barb first gave them a hug, they knew they were safe,” Joshua said. “Us blackfellas have always been able to share stories, but we didn’t have the written word. We had song and we had dance, now they’re giving us their stories.

“The more we speak, the more we’re heard, and I really want my people to thrive in community, not in custody.

“Let’s change the narrative and that’s what this book is about. We’re changing the outcome for our young fellas.”

The launch event raised nearly $3000 to support the ‘Dreaming Inside’ project through the sale of artworks produced by inmates from the Junee Correctional Centre.

With 12 volumes under her belt, Aunty Barbara isn’t sure just how long the project will run, especially given that Junee will soon transfer from private hands to the NSW Government.

“We’ve started the workshops for Volume 13, so you’re going to get a baker’s dozen, and I’m not looking beyond that,” Aunty Barb added.

Extracts from Dreaming Inside

Books available via the South Coast Writers Centre's website

“A hugely important theme appearing in these pages has to do with freedom, in its myriad forms: freedom from prison of course; freedom from poverty; freedom of movement on the outside; freedom to be who you are; freedom to live life without racism, hatred and fear, to name a few. These themes frequently appear under the assertion ‘when I get out I’m gunna…’ and I wonder of the dream of freedom ever becomes reality. Bearing in mind that freedom is much more complex than merely being released from prison I can only hope with all my heart that it does become reality, that life deals some kind hands and nurtures rather than inhibits those seeking the joy and peace of freedom.” 

– From the book's Introduction by Aunty Barbara Nicholson

My son calls another man dad

But I’m OK.

My mother and father are in jail

And that’s OK too.

I lost my job and went to jail.

I’m OK.

– Joshy

Never look down on a brother

Unless you’re helping him up

– Matthew Auld

Torn from those I love

Abandoned by my god above

Locked away and out of sight

The court exercised its might.

Now, I muse earn the right to be free.

I have to readjust my life you see.

Living a crowded life, got to stay out of strife.

Respect for my cell mate,

We share the same gate.

I know what I need to do,

It’s up to me and up to you.

– Daniel Tillman