Douglas Lockwood began writing books based on his own knowledge and experiences with the Aborigines of northern and central Australia in the late 1950s. These books, which include "I, The Aboriginal" and "We, The Aborigines", made his name known around Australia and in many other parts of the world. "I, The Aboriginal " won the Adelaide Advertiser literary competition in 1962. His other writing awards include the Walkley Award for Journalism.