Jo Tuscano, co-author of ‘This Is Where You Have To Go’ (image supplied)

By Jude Paul, Glebe Talks organiser, July 2025, from Bulletin 5/2025

Author Jo Tuscano and activist Auntie Lynda Holden share their journey to publishing This Is Where You Have To Go. In 2015, Lynda started legal action against the authorities that took her baby away when she was sent to a mothers and babies home in Waitara on the upper north shore. She is the first Aboriginal woman to sue the Church and speak out about her experience.

Almost thirty years later, Lynda was reunited with her son. Like many reunions, it didn’t go well. This event explores the reasons Lynda wanted to speak out and address past practices and policies that affect families to this day. Lynda took up the fight for justice for her own family and anyone affected by the practices of the day.

She met Jo in 2016, and together, they decided to bring to light the lies, cover-ups, and devastation caused by the authorities. The book is harrowing but ultimately hopeful and is a testament to one woman’s resilience and courage to take on the system.

Jo Tuscano lives in Glebe. She is the author of fiction and non-fiction and currently works as a content creator for imagineer.me, writing programs and using a fusion of Aboriginal and Western pedagogy.

Aunty Lynda Holden, co-author of ‘This Is Where You Have To Go’  (photo supplied)

Lynda Holden, a proud Dunghutti woman, holds qualifications in nursing, midwifery and law. She has taught in these disciplines to university students at UWS and UNSW. Lynda currently sits on the NSW Law Society Indigenous Committee.

When: Wednesday 30 July, 6–7 pm

Where: Gleebooks Coffee Shop, mezzanine level, 49 Glebe Point Road.

Cost: $30, includes savoury tasters and glass of wine.

Bookings close: Wednesday 23 July.