My Place began as a children’s book created for the 1988 Bicentenary of Australia. It tells the stories of 21 children, each representing a decade from 1788 onwards. Each story stands alone while contributing to a broader picture of Australian history, seen through the eyes of children. Many of the characters are connected across generations, reflecting shared histories and experiences. While the original setting is Sydney, the stories resonate with places and communities across Australia.

At the heart of My Place are recurring elements, including the fig tree, the creek and the map. These features connect each story to the land and to the people who live on it. They acknowledge the deep history of First Nations peoples while recognising the many cultures that have shaped contemporary Australia. Together, they help young audiences imagine how life has changed over time while remaining grounded in place.

The television series My Place (Series 1 and 2), produced between 2008 and 2011, builds on the book by expanding its world and introducing new characters. These include Mohammed and Lily in Series 1, and Dan, Waruwi, Bunda and Barangaroo in Series 2. Drawing on the original stories, the screenwriters developed a layered drama that reflects each decade and brings greater depth to the characters and their relationships.

In the screen adaptation, the fig tree and the creek remain central visual motifs, with the addition of the house in later episodes. The move to television allows audiences to see and hear the characters as they experience their world, with performance, sound and music adding emotional depth and immediacy.

Making My Place by Nadia Wheatley (HarperCollins, 2010) offers insight into the development of the television series, including the creative process and the perspectives of the young actors who bring the characters to life.

My Place, based on the picture book by Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins, follows one location in Sydney across 240 years of history. Beginning in 2008 and moving back through time to 1788 and Before Time, the series introduces 26 children, each connected to the same place and each with a story to share.

Linked by an ancient fig tree, these characters offer a child’s‑eye view of Australia’s past, bringing different moments in history to life through their experiences. Told across 26 half‑hour episodes, the series is supported by an interactive website that extends the storytelling and invites deeper exploration.

Episode 1 2008: Laura
Episode 2 1998: Mohammed
Episode 3 1988: Lily
Episode 4 1978: Mike
Episode 5 1968: Sofia
Episode 6 1958: Michaelis
Episode 7 1948: Jen
Episode 8 1938: Colum
Episode 9 1928: Bridie
Episode 10 1918: Bertie
Episode 11 1908: Evelyn
Episode 12 1898: Rowley
Episode 13 1888: Victoria

Episode 14 1878: Henry
Episode 15 1868: Minna
Episode 16 1858: Benjamin
Episode 17 1848: Johanna
Episode 18 1838: Davey
Episode 19 1828: Alice
Episode 20 1818: Charles
Episode 21 1808: Sarah
Episode 22 1798: Sam
Episode 23 1788: Waruwi
Episode 24 1788: Dan
Episode 25 Before Time: Bunda
Episode 26 Before Time: Barangaroo

My Place, written by Nadia Wheatley and illustrated by Donna Rawlins, is an award‑winning Australian classic. Named Children’s Book Council Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 1988 and a YABBA children’s choice winner, it brings together history and storytelling in a way that is engaging and accessible for young audiences. In continuous print for more than two decades, My Place has been widely read in classrooms and homes across Australia, supporting children to connect with the people, stories and histories that shape the places where they live.

Nadia Wheatley
Nadia Wheatley is an Australian writer whose work spans fiction, history, biography and picture books for children, young people and adults. She began writing full time after postgraduate study in Australian history, and her work reflects a long‑standing commitment to social justice and inclusive storytelling. Her first book, Five Times Dizzy, was recognised as a pioneering multicultural children’s story in Australia and was later adapted for television.

Nadia has received wide recognition for her contribution to children’s literature, including multiple Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book awards and two New South Wales Premier’s Children’s Book Prizes. Her other works include Playground: Listening to stories from country and from inside the heart and Going Bush. She also wrote Making My Place, which explores the development of the television series.

Donna Rawlins
Donna Rawlins is an award‑winning illustrator, author, designer and editor. She grew up in Melbourne and is now based in Sydney. Her work is known for its warmth, detail and inclusive representation, with a focus on diverse, contemporary Australian experiences.

Donna has illustrated many books for young readers, including The Firefighters, What Will You Be? and Seven More Sleeps. Among her extensive body of work, My Place remains her most recognised title, celebrated for its distinctive visual storytelling and its contribution to Australian children’s literature.

Penny Chapman presentations

Presentation by Penny Chapman – Part 1
https://myplace.edu.au/behind_the_scenes/clip_bank/clip/67

Presentation by Penny Chapman – Part 2
https://myplace.edu.au/behind_the_scenes/clip_bank/clip/68

Presentation by Penny Chapman – Part 3
https://myplace.edu.au/behind_the_scenes/clip_bank/clip/69

Presentation by Penny Chapman – Part 4
https://myplace.edu.au/behind_the_scenes/clip_bank/clip/70