Jayson

This is a fascinating question that invokes the work of T.G.H Strehlow, in particular his rare book 'Songs of Central Australia'.

http://www.strehlow.com.au/

To my knowledge, there are no audio files of these songs available on-line. I suggest you contact the Srehlow Research Foundation. There is mention of Strehlow at Hermannsburg in 'The Flight of Ducks' when he accompanied my father for the first few days of his journey to Mount Liebig. If you press the links you will find his photo and some notes:

http://www.duckdigital.net/FOD/FOD0550.html

Hi Karen

There seems to be some problem with the email - but it got through. My email is:

simonpockley@gmail.com

1. As a responsive documentary (archive), the 'Flight of Ducks' is an on-going project (more like a monster that won't go away). Closure is not an option because long-term access depends on being 'live'.

2. >'official' Aboriginal responses - there are no 'official' Aboriginal responses. The concept is anathema to how Aboriginal people approach such a work.

3. >you might be willing to share some of the responses you (finally) received from the Walpiri representatives regarding their reasons for being displeased.

All responses are included unless they are 'private'. The Walpiri response was part of another agenda that had nothing to do with 'The Flight of Ducks'. Unfortunately the man who orchestrated this has died and the issues are so sensitive that I cannot speak about them in public.

4. >I must commend you on your resilience - thanks

5. These are very complex issues and, although it probably needs an edit, 'Blinding the Duck' still stands as my attempt to articulate some of the issues. I'll have a think about what I might be able to offer you. Meanwhile I'm happy to answer any specific questions.

Raku

You need to construct your PhD on-line so that you have first hand knowledge of what it means to have your audience talk-back. What I discovered was that narrative stuctures are meaningless as a one way conversation. The networked world offers you two way communication. This can be uncomfortable but means that your own work will come alive.

Where do I see your archival photos?

Narayanan

You're not asking too much. This is something on which I'm passionate and therefore only too willing to talk to you about. These days, I'm in the service of Australia's largest moving image collection, but my assumption is that you have found me through 'The Flight of Ducks'.

http://www.duckdigital.net/FOD/

Is this correct?

If so, then you may have found a component of my own research work where I engaged with (5 years ago) some of the issues:

http://www.duckdigital.net/FOD/FOD0259.html#Image

Your project sounds fascinating - tell me more...

Chantal

These are interesting but quite complex questions. As I'm not sure about what level you are studying, I'll just raise a few issues and point you towards historical source material so that you can draw your own conclusions.

1. Photograph of 'half caste' children at The Old Telegraph Station, 5 kilometres from Alice Springs

http://www.duckdigital.net/FOD/FOD0015.html

2. 1933 Journal entry concerning a visit to this 'half caste home'

http://www.duckdigital.net/FOD/FOD0500.html

3. Note about the removal of children

http://www.duckdigital.net/FOD/FOD0501.html

The term 'stolen children' is as loaded with judgement as was the non-aborignial view of aboriginal culture at the time when children were 'removed'. These children were thought to be neither 'aborigine' not 'white' but something in between. They were what some people call -'mixed blood'. In these terms, no Aboriginal child was ever removed. The people who removed the children of mixed blood or 'half caste' origin thought that the best chance these children had was to be raised as 'whites'.

Today, there is considerable concern over the ethics of this practice and those that were removed often assert that they suffered as a result. Hence the term 'Stolen Generation'. However, this is by no means universal. Some people who were removed claim that it gave them a better chance than they might have had. This is why the issue is quite complex.

In order to make up your own mind I would advise you to look around at some of the other sites. 'The Flight of Ducks' is just a window into a time when this was happening. The descriptions are indications of how white Australians perceived these children and their fate.

Good luck with your assessment.

Hi John

I'm not sure if I can help you here, but I'll make some enquiries. The website - 'The Flight of Ducks' draws its name from a reference to a duck song that my father heard in central Australia in 1933.

http://www.duckdigital.net/FOD/FOD0292.html

My real home in in north western N.S.W. near Coonabarabran but I live in Melbourne at the moment. I'll get back to you in few days.

Paul

Many thanks for your message. Happy to talk metadata anytime. I'm currently in the service of a collection of 90,000 film, video and new media titles but am not sure about your reference to the metaweb tool - which tool?

I've never questioned the value of my work but I sure have questioned my ability to do it. The old, Flight of Ducks, still chugs along. I'm unable to update it at the moment because of lack of server access and time. But I hope to automate the updates soon and I move the entire site into an XML environment.

Not sure what you mean by 'stubborn streak'- I'm a soft touch.

I can probably help you find some information for your training notes as I'm part of a group that advises the NLA and there are some very good resources there. But I'm not at my computer at the moment, when I am, I'll forward you some links.

kh

If you're talking about inner peace then, this sonnet from central Australia (by my father) has a peaceful feel about it:

http://www.duckdigital.net/FOD/FOD0877.html

Good hunting. I hope your teacher opens the same doors that this poem celebrates.

Hi Jo

Many thanks for asking.

Please note the rights or fair use statement:

http://www.duckdigital.net/FOD/FOD0310.html

which you've probably missed because it is embedded in the metadata for each screen. There are hypertext links to protocols concerning Australian Aboriginal cultural material which you should be aware of. However, in essence it says:

.........This is a participatory work containing historical material to which free access, unbridled appropriation and generous spirited contribution is encouraged. You are invited to re-use all material for non-commercial purposes but your moral obligation is to acknowledge The Flight of Ducks and to let me know by [email] or [Ph. 61 3 96512184] of the purpose for which any content from this site is to be used.

Some displays referece surrogates of Australian Aboriginal cultural material. Protocol concerning the use of this material and its relation to cultural sensitivity is an ongoing source of discussion to which you are also welcome to contribute.

Other screens refer to material generated by numerous participants. In most cases this contributed material is accompanied by contact metadata. If you want to re-use this material please seek their permission or ask me to contact them on your behalf..........

In short, if your intentions are honorable you can help yourself. I'd be grateful if you would explain who you are and the purpose to which the images will be put. We all have to be careful not to cause distress.

Forgive this intrusive question, but your message says you are writing a report to the government on 'The Flight of Ducks' Surely you mean that you just want to use some of the material from 'The Flight of Ducks' for a report on something else?

cc#: **** **/**

Douglas

Snow would be good - as it's quite hot here today: cc#: **** **** ****

Douglas

Same as last time. Do you still have my Visa card details and address?

Douglas

>If you bid say $350 than I believe that should do it and you should be high bidder as there is only one other bidder at the moment. >As soon as I hear back from you by email and after you execute your bid, I will end the auction.

I have placed my $350.00 bid. Do we have a deal?

Done

Would you accept US $600.00?

Douglas

$350.00 or $695.00?

Douglas

Does this mean you will accept US$350.00? Or would I definely have to pay you US$695.00?

Thanks Doug

Would you accept a fixed price or do I just bid at e-bay?

Hi Douglas

I'm possibly interested in the the stone churinga. Do you have any details about where it was collected, date of acquisition, circumstances of its collection etc.?

Please note my change of email address.

Robyn

Yes. Thanks for your interest. I'm in the bush at the moment and won't be able to burn you one until later in January. Is this OK?

Some parts also need updating. I'm having to change servers and domain names so, I'm a bit behind at the moment.