Uncovering the heart of my Nana’s saltwater stories

Actor and author Tasma Walton was enjoying her big break on TV show Blue Heelers in the 1990s in Melbourne when a transformative visit from her grandmother launched her in a new direction.

Boonwurrung/Bunurong woman, Tasma grew up in windy Geraldton, in Western Australia in the 1970s, hearing stories from her grandmother about baby whales and women who lived in kelp forests. 

These stories always featured a bay and very cold water — neither of which were in Geraldton.

Many years later, while Tasma was filming Blue Heelers and living in St Kilda in Melbourne, her grandmother came to stay, and the stories she had told Tasma over and over again started to make sense.

Except for one tale that had been sanitised for children’s ears — a supposed love story between Tasma's great-great-great grandmother, Nannertgarrook, and a sealer man.

As an adult, Tasma heard her calling and started to research the truth of what had happened to Nannertgarrook, generations ago.

Further information

If you need help, you can call the National domestic family and sexual violence counselling service on 1800-RESPECT — 1800 737 732.

I Am Nannertgarrook is published by Simon & Schuster Bundyi.

Tasma was named joint winner, with Robbie Arnott, of the $100,000 ARA Historical Novel Prize for 2025.

Watch Reckless on SBS from Wednesday 12 November on SBS, NITV, and SBS ON DEMAND.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Alice Moldovan. The Executive Producer was Nicola Harrison.

This episode explores heritage, ancestral legacy, inherited trauma, intergenerational trauma, DV, family violence, method acting, mob, Indigenous, First Nations, Aboriginal, slavery, blak, blak mothers, reconnecting with culture, bunurong strong, Nerrm, Narrm, Wilsons Prom, Wilsons Promontory, mermaids, dolphins, asthma, asthma attacks, medea, monologue, auditions, acting auditions, SBS, reckless, St Kilda, Blue Heelers, Luna Park.

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