Wongaibon woman, Gayle Kennedy tells the story of her childhood, punctuated by years of treatment for polio. A bright child, she blitzed school and was drawn to comic book writing, which led to an award-winning career as an author.

Gayle was two when she contracted polio. The family was living in a camp outside Condobolin when little Gayle collapsed at her aunt’s house.

Gayle’s mother was in hospital at the time, where she had given birth to Gayle’s younger brother.

She ran from the hospital to her sickly toddler, and brought Gayle in for treatment.

Gayle was sent to Sydney and spent six months in an iron lung, a mechanical respirator that covered her whole body, leaving her head exposed.

For years she would return to Sydney for follow up therapy.

Gayle was a bright student who overcame racism at school and after she graduated she worked with the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, then set up the Ivanhoe Land Council.

During this time, Gayle was introduced to Streetwize Comics, which inspired to give writing a go and got a job as a comic book writer.

Years later, Gayle became unwell again, and she was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome.

She was miserable and suffering, and when she joined the NDIS her life changed for the better.

She started writing stories that were published in the Sydney Morning Herald and went on to win the David Unaipon Award for her book Me, Antman and Fleabag.

Further information

This episode was produced by Rebecca McLaren. The Executive Producer of Conversations is Nicola Harrison.

This episode contains reference to father's love, mother's love, polio, post-polio syndrome, Abbotsford station, Ivanhoe, Wangaaypuwan, Royal Flying Doctor Service, rehabilitation, children's hospital, kind nurses, long drop toilet, racism, Catholic school, Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, cousins, nepotism, Balmain, NDIS, scooter, how to drink in the park, Redfern, blackfellas, saying yes, giving things a go.

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NAIDOC 2026: From an iron lung to the page — Gayle’s life in comics and words

Conversations

NAIDOC 2026: From an iron lung to the page — Gayle’s life in comics and words