Season 7: Episode 79: Tasma Walton

Karen and Irma talk about the importance of writers centres, and urge listeners to sign the Writers Victoria petition.Then Irma chats to Tasma Walton about novelising the story of her ancestor Nannertgarrook, how she protected herself in the process of writing about trauma, the reclamation of her Boonwurrung language and the importance of language in her novel, how writing and acting feed into each other, the challenges of writing versus acting, how writers rooms for TV and film work, and an embarrassing green room encounter with an Australian music legend.About TasmaTasma Walton is a proud Boonwurrung woman from the saltwater country of Melbourne and surrounding coastlines. She has had a hugely successful career as an actor in film and television, with acclaimed roles in everything from Blue Heelers and The Secret Life of Us to Mystery Road and How to Please a Woman. In 2009, her first novel, Heartless, was nominated for an ABIA Award, and the first book in her children’s series Nerra: Deep Time Traveller was longlisted for the DANZ Children’s Book Award. Her most recent novel, I am Nannertgarrook, won the 2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize.Show notesWriters Victoria petitionI am NannertgarrookFind out more about Irma and KarenVisit Irma Gold’s website, or follow her on Instagram and FacebookVisit Karen Viggers’ website, or follow her on Instagram and FacebookFollow Secrets From the Green Room on Instagram and Facebook