Australia remembers Len Waters: Boundless and born to fly by Catherine Bauer

Len Waters: Boundless and Born to Fly is the third book in the Australia Remembers series and tells the story of Len Waters, a proud Kamilaroi man and Australia’s only Indigenous fighter pilot, who struggled through prejudice and adversity to achieve his dream of ‘taking to the skies.’ Author Catherine Bauer has shared Len’s journey in this historical non-fiction narrative with an honest account of the struggles he, and indeed many other First Nation Australians, underwent during his lifetime. We learn of Len’s humble beginnings, his family life, early schooling and passion for learning, his work ethic, joining the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1942 at the age of 18 and his life after World War Two ended. The discrimination suffered by Len and others during this time is both shameful and distressing yet Len was able to stay focused, study and work hard to achieve his dream. He rose through the ranks of Aircraftman to Sergeant and finally Flight Sergeant. Len’s incredible story is intermingled with quotes, fast facts, questions for the reader, maps, diagrams, captioned photographs and Did You Know segments. There are 14 chapters with the last chapter providing simple activities, as well as a glossary, bibliography, online sources section, index and acknowledgements.

This book is truly an excellent informative and historical record of the time particularly suited to middle to upper primary students. A prefect resource for ANZAC Day. YouTube video  Remembering Australia’s only Indigenous WWII fighter pilot is available.

Themes: Australia, First Nation Australians, Dreamtime Stories, Aboriginal Culture, Royal Australian Air Force, Racism, Prejudice, Bravery, War, History, Family, Resilience.

Kathryn Beilby