Cirrus@Austlit

'The stories and ideas from the Aboriginal people of Bourke, contained in this book, along with those of a few gubbas (whitefellas), are based on recordings made in the 1980s by Leatta Ballangary and Kevin Knight, and in the 1990s by John Mackay and Gillian Cowlishaw. The book highlights a small selection of what people said about their lives, each in their own style. The stories are presented as a history beginning from early memories of nineteenth century conditions. (Source: Publishers website)

'Have a determined anthropologist and a gifted writer come to terms with how differently Yolngu do things?'

'It is autumn 1999 and the vigorous crashing of the metal knocker on the front door of my house in Glebe has me in a state of alarm as I leave the quiet study and run downstairs. I open the door to a dark, dishevelled figure, wild hair, lean and edgy. A gravelly, menacing voice says, ‘I’ve come to make a land claim on this property’. The grim expression dissolves as I exclaim, ‘Frank Doolan!’ He shakes my hand with a flamboyant black man’s double gesture, still tense, ready to cut and run, ready for a fight—or fun. ‘How are you?’ I ask, and he says, ‘I’m still goin’. But more important, [dramatic pause] how are you?’' (Introduction)

'The law seemed to fail Boonie Hilt, a thirty-six year old Aboriginal man, but there were small victories along the way'

'During his life, Tex Camfoo has been classified as Aboriginal, half-caste and European. As a half-caste he could not legally associate with or marry an Aboriginal woman. As an Aboriginal, he was not allowed to visit the pub with his European work mates.'

'Nelly Camfoo was always considered Aboriginal. From childhood she has taken part in ceremonial life. She finds white people both frustrating and foolish - 'they can't understand because they can't listen'.'

'The stories of Tex and Nelly Camfoo intermingle to highlight the ambiguous social position of Aboriginals living in the Northern Territory during the last century. They provide insight into race relations, the contradictory attitudes of missionaries and police, they reflect morality and religion as well as recent political developments.' (Source: Publisher's website)

'Jacky Ryan recorded his story at Bulman in 1989. Jack Ryan emphasised that he could not think in another language, but wanted his account translated into Standard English. The second piece, with Jacky Ryan and Billy Lukenawa taking me on a journey through their country, was done at their instigation. Also recorded in 1989, it was translated by Susan Murray and Vivienne Lawrence in Darwin in 1991'. (Source: Publisher's note)