Encore: Mt Druitt to Tonga, how Winnie embraced her cultural heritage
May 09, 2025•51 min
Episode description
Winnie Dunn was a teenager when the Chris Lilley character 'Jonah from Tonga' became a national joke and as a Tongan Australian the stereotype made her feel uncomfortable.
Despite being born into a big Tongan family in Western Sydney, Winnie felt conflicted about her heritage growing up.
But over time her understanding of what it means to be Tongan evolved, and at the age of 28, Winnie became the first Tongan Australian to have a novel published.
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