Winnie Dunn’s novel ‘Dirt Poor Islander’ puts Tongan culture in the spotlight

A Mt Druitt woman who saw a lack of authentic representation of her culture in the media decided to do something about it, releasing a novel shining a spotlight on Tongan culture. Here’s her story.

Winnie Dunn, author of Dirt Poor Islanders. Picture: Supplied

What do you do when you’re growing up in a country rich in diverse cultures, but don’t see yours being represented in books?

Write one yourself!

This was an obvious answer to Mt Druitt local Winnie Dunn whose fascination with language didn’t dim despite growing up in a household without books.

Her debut book ‘Dirt Poor Islander’ is Australia’s first Tongan Australian novel to be written by a Tongan Australian and is one of the six books competing for this year’s 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award.

For Ms Dunn, her novel was a nod to her upbringing in one of Sydney’s infamous suburbs, as well as putting a spotlight on her culture.

Winnie's book is the first Tongan Australian novel written by a Tongan Australian. Picture: Supplied

“It’s a coming of age novel about a mixed race Tongan Australian girl who lives in Mt Druitt,” Ms Dunn told this masthead.

“It’s putting the many pieces of her identity together. Through her, through her culture, through her family.

Winnie with her brother Johnny. Picture: Supplied

“It’s a fictional retelling of my personally lived through experiences. Just because there’s been no Tongan Australian representation or authentic representation.”

The authentic representation became important to her, as Ms Dunn pointed out one of the only previous representations of her culture was the character Jonah from Chris Lilley’s popular TV show Summer Heights High.

“Who we all know put on a brown face and an afro wig and showed a racist, hyper-violent, homophobic depiction of a Tongan child,” she said.

“And so for me, it was very important to be honest about how autobiographical my fictional novel was.

Winnie's book (pictured) showcases significant parts of Tongan culture. Picture: Supplied

“Because I think telling Tongan stories in Australia is really vital.”

Writing a novel is no easy feat, but thankfully Ms Dunn said she had a strong support network both in her family and in the wider community.

“There’s a lot of sharing and a lot of outpouring of love on social media. And Tongans are quite a proud people. Whenever we win a sports game, there’s a parade in Mt Druitt. A car parade with all the flags,” she said.

And when she’s not pioneering her community through her own work, Ms Dunn is empowering other First Nations writers and writers of colour in literacy.

“My next project through my organisation (Sweatshop Literacy Movement) is called Fresh Off the Books,” she said.

“Nearly 30 emerging Pacifica writers who are ready to tell their own story. And so Fresh Off the Books will culminate in a printed anthology next year.

“I wanted to give back to my community and to showcase that there’s so many more Pacifica stories that are just waiting to be told.”

The winners of the Miles Franklin prize will be announced on July 24.