G'day Simon

Forgive while I gasbag a bit about music and kids for a bit; you're right, you can do a lot with music, I'm quite passionate about it. Music is the big one for working with disaffected kids I reckon, before starting the teaching course I worked in the music industry. Always been community minded so gave juniors opportunity in performance and production, had a role not dissimilar to what I do now. Ran dance parties, a lot of all ages events; contrary to what you hear dance parties (not the big commercial ones) are very warm and safe environments for affected kids - none of the overt aggressive or sexual behavior that you get in commercial venues. Started to get a lot of kids still hanging around at the end of the night, "have you guys got homes to go to?" A lot didn't, often quite young, so my role evolved; counselor, advice, support, drug education - invaluable hands on experience.

Started a club, purely as a community development exercise, for kids at risk. Gave them all jobs; dj's, lighting, sound, door etc, was a huge success, out of the core group of 10, most kicked on. Lost contact with a couple but others are still working in the music industry, a couple went back to school. Have attached a letter describing in more detail but learnt a lot about working with groups and music as a vehicle. My role was getting a bit wearying so decided to go back to school, have lived with blackfellas a bit over the years so went to Echucha to do the Nyerna Studies teaching social work course.

Haven't had a great deal of experience in remote communities but a lot of what I knew applied, felt comfortable very quickly and pretty much did the same in a new context, one month running a holiday program at Titjikala. Found some trashed band equipment I managed to fix and borrowed some from the school; a lot of jamming by the kids and put on a few discos. Made a few mistakes but generally went very well, the manager of the women's centre came and told me that the talk had been not just of what I was doing but what a positive effect it was having on their kids. Next month I was working at Irrkerlantye school in Alice, a number of times in town I was approached by women that I didn't know but who knew me; the smiles are without doubt the greatest rewards I have ever had. I have had a lot of experience, methods and approaches developed over a long period, it all worked at Titj (attached a journal which you may find interesting from a na&#iuml;ve first time worker, bit about music too).

Had a lot of trouble with whitefella workers though, I was there as a volunteer so was even more subject. Luckily the resident teachers saw what was going on and gave me keys to the school and my own accommodation or I would have been forced out. Then when I went to Alice I was in trouble over a memo I posted (attached) trying to help inexperienced students going out to communities on the program I was part of, unwittingly made a few enemies - one my head lecturer at uni - not ideal. I get on well with blackfellas, they talk to me, I found myself in the uncomfortable situation of fielding complaints from elders about the program I was on. The resident teacher reckoned it was good experience as such dynamics amongst workers are very common on communities.

Whether in Melbourne, Alice or Echuca music and art are the two key avenues I use. Drug education (gotta be lateral, direct is a waste of time) isn't that effective so I try to get the kids engaged in something so then drug use becomes part of their life rather than the main focus. Nearly all kids are into music, even if there not into anything much else, doing music and art is very good for anyone. I've always been influenced by cultural tenets of traditional society, music and art the key parameters; it's not surprising that they work well with Aboriginal kids. Hiphop is a very relevant, part of contemporary identity, gotta be conversant to have a guiding positive influence. Kids expressing their feelings in music is always beneficial though - if there banging it out on the dancefloor there much less likely to bang it out in other ways.

You mentioned the super 8 camera, can do a lot around cameras as you say. At Titj I had a cheap unbreakable digital, a lotta photos taken, lotta fun for the kids, great introduction to computers too. Was also printing a few shots and putting 'em up on the community notice board, everyone was loving it, raising self esteem for the whole community (some fellow workers didn't, snuck into the office at night and disabled the printer). One of the things I'd learnt working with kids in the city was the value of giving responsibility, just handing the camera over to the kids was a voluble exercise in itself. Journal will tell you more about it, bit fraught in places as I was under severe duress, only my experience in the music industry where the stitch up is always on allowed me to cope, the kids helped too in this regard of course.

Really enjoyed Alice and Titjikala, bit of a picnic compared to Echuca. You know how in Alice you can still see the historical nature of the town, sort of a cowboy frontier thing, same in Echuca except it's an incredibly uptight and conservative Victorian era thing. Victoria is very different to the rest of Australia, been turned into a psuedo England, lotta pine trees etc. In Echuca though there's no mistaking that it was Aboriginal turf, also there is a substantial Koorie population which is very unusual for Victoria. Consequently the (Anglo) locals are very defensive, almost aggressive in their defensiveness, it's one of the few places I've been in Australia where people will express their racism uninvited, completely out of context of a conversation. Think deep south, an eerie hidden agenda, very consciously enforced, a stronghold of old time conservatism.

Completely divided, very rare to see Koories in town, never in the main street. There's a ghetto area on the edge of town, all the clich&#eacute;s apply, sit outside for a night and you'll hear a lot of noise. Urban dynamics, very gnarly, drug use, violence, sex abuse, alcohol, many kids not getting much at home. Almost non-existent services, the local co-op completely corrupt, long term rorting so absolutely nothing unless you're part of the select faction which not many are. Has been one music event in four years for the kids and absolutely nothing else. As bad as it gets, ongoing crisis, trauma, heartbreak, misery. A while ago a mate who was diabetic died at home - no services - very messy emotional dynamics.

The power faction ruthless, effectively assumed power by blackmail. They have kept power by ensuring nothing at all happens, they are very pro active and attack before anything even gets off the ground.

The real locals, Wollithica and the Yorta Yorta, have been unable to wrest power back. They've got their hands full with Native Title and the like and do some positive things but have no say in service provision. There's also divisions there. One thing I have learnt is about connection to the land. Blackfellas that are still on their land, seem to me to be generally travelling better than those that aren't (haven't spent much time on communities though I do follow through the press, reading between the lines things seem very bad, maybe the above statement doesn't apply so much on communities). As Echuca is one of the few places that Koories (the Yorta Yorta are naturally very resilient, sorta thick set and chunky in appearance) have held on to a bit, a lot of Koories have moved there over the years simply because it a place where they can be. A lot of people don't even know their background which I reckon is very affecting; the competitiveness full on, jealousy the key currency, an inevitable result of low self-esteem across the board and cultural socio-economic oppression. I lived within that for the last four years, being whitefella you can imagine what I've had to endure. Only reason I've survived is that I've stayed out of all arguments and refused to align with any faction despite overtures. I am respectful of Wollithica authority of which they are aware, I work with them on programs (volunteer) and always run any Koorie orientated (school) but nothing overt. Everybody knows where I stand, for the kids, which means I am in opposition to the rorting and non-reportage but I don't engage; say nothing, just do what I'm doing, positive only. It has leveled out for me but the corrupt co-op power faction are very against me however, and have used their influence to pull a number of moves, including in education, but I have survived - phew!

Bit like some places up north, wherever you turn you can see the effects of colonialism. Even going for a swim, authorities are now admitting that the river will probably never recover. A surveyed 80% of the red gums are diseased or dying, the Barmah forest hasn't flooded in 5 years when it should be annually. There are some water releases happening now, but very belated, the pastoral/agriculture influence is still very strong, they're not shy about stating their self interest, the old time conservative are very overt into holding on to what they regard as theirs. Beyond the river hardly a tree, the land exploited beyond belief, turning to dust.

Throw into the mix the dollars being made of tourism. The old time river port still exists and is a big attraction; that's how they sell the town, to a very conservative and aged market. Blackfellas are not wanted on the streets, nor young people, nothing to interfere with the "old world" appeal. All the councilors are business owners with long term family connections, and always have been, no genuine attempt to provide services for young people (I initially was involved with some programs so had a good look).

It's tough environment to work in, which I do as a volunteer but is also all encompassing despite trying to remain low key. My experience in the music industry again invaluable, I used to run nightclubs as well, people are often at their worst, you get used to dealing with all sorts of crap without taking onboard stress. Crucially, I can't be intimidated, and have got great skills in dealing with potentially violent situations, it's a lot about body language and just where you position yourself (you can't hear much in nightclubs). Echuca's a very small town, anything you do is known and subject to judgement, being a whitefella "working" and living within the (fractured) community invites scrutiny, judgments are passed and felt (positive and negative), going to the shops or anywhere, every time. The only time off is when I'm down the river walking my dog or in my workshop doing art, home is pretty busy so rarely relaxing.

One thing I dug about Alice was that I could just do my work then knock off and go home, although I imagine that would change over a longer period of time. I loved being in the desert too, I wanna go back and think I've got something substantial to offer, but it's a little bit out of my hands.

While Echuca sounds bad and it is, you can actually see that it wouldn't take much to be a lot better. There is a real light at the end of the tunnel, but it's also potentially not to far down the track either, just maybe… The town demographics are oppressive, but there are a lot of nice people as well, as is usually the way the (colonial hangover) status quo supported by and benefiting a minority holds sway. Before I went up there I thought turn the clock back twenty years, only to find myself smack bang in the middle of the Menzies era; the rest of the world is starting to filter through, despite the best efforts of some. Real change is ahead though.

You can probably understand why I enjoy the site so much, I am fascinated with the culture and reading about the old ways does offer some inspiration, the lack of weighted judgement in the site is very refreshing. I've also come across similar in older travel books and the like but is generally pretty rare even amongst early anthropologists although there are a few I like; I really dig it when the character and humour of the people and communities comes through. Been nice reading the site and chatting, give you some more feedback as I get through the journals, I really like the way the site's put together as well, really suits the material and it's context. Have attached the Tectronic stuff as will give you a good picture of my approaches in music, save me a lot of typing, and the Titjikala journal and memo as you may find interesting the experiences of a first time worker. Have also attached some pix, selected at random but there will be some from the discos. Check the smiles on the kids, when people are having this much of a good time regularly, dancing and socialisng, their whole quality of life is improved markedly. It can be as simple as having something to look forward too regularly, but the benefits are much greater over time, sharing the dance floor is a key, again this relates to traditional parameters. I could go on about this all night but I'll give you a break, maybe next time.

yo Simon Found the index, needed a photo for a spear/woomera question, got the right one, ta.

Also I'd like to read the entire journals, are they up or available in print anywhere, and are there any books contingent with Flight of Ducks stuff?

The lessons I'm working on are for young Koorie blokes that know very little about their culture, trying give them some understanding and a sense of pride about their heritage, benefitting their self-image. They're also not that interested in anything remotely resembling school work, so I try to mix it up as much as possible - questions about footy players, Koorie musicians - anything positive, even some of their modern hiphop heroes to keep it light, and a bit of history about the land rights movement etc. The questions are designed to lead to discussion to try and get them to open up a bit or find a point of interest, they generally don't give much away. The big problem is that their heritage is essentially what separates them, not what teenagers want, tricky to overcome, some do engage, but some are simply not interested; perhaps the best you can do is sow a few seeds that they may come back to later in life.

Digging the site, you're a lucky man to have that background, great to see someone appreciating and responding. Great work.

tony

G'day Simon Just had a bit more of a look around; awesome. Your old man must have been a gem, I've read a lot over ten years or more; almost a unique approach. Some photos area almost completely dark and text is hard to read but very minor complaints, also making me hang out to go back to the desert! Gonna have a really good trowel through. Thanx again. Good on yers.

tony

G'day Simon Great site. I am a Nyerna Studies B Ed student currently creating some lessons for the kids I teach in Echuca. Open layout is very important; pictures essential but often time consuming to find on the net - getting a lotta stuff from the site. Can't figure out how to go from one photo to the next, if this is possible please let me know how. My email address is: Anthony.bowen@students.vu.edu.au

great work
many thanx

tony

Simon, Thanks for your response. Is it accurate to report that your thesis is titled, "The Flight of Ducks"? Thank you.

Your name was provided by Steve Bovino in the PR office at West Virginia University concerning your PhD thesis, Flight of Ducks. The NY Times is interested in including this in an article on unique theses, but needs a little more information. Are you currently a professor of art and design at WVU? Thanks.

Hey, kind of silly I guess but I did a goggle search on walter ralph wardlaw & your site came up. I have no connection or relation...how ever I was looking to buy a bible on ebay & I came across a 1741 edition bible belonging to walter ralph wardlaw. I am not sure if you are a relative of his or if it was someone on the message board...who knows? Maybe you can pass alonge the info, the ebay item number is 7361140758. I would love to hear the outcome, thanks Joey Harper.

Dear Simon Pockley

I am trying to find a copy of a 1930s photo by Arthur Murch of the Finke River Mission, Hermannsburg. A fence runs across the bottom of the photo and it shows some (clothed) Aborigines and some buildings. It is on p.2 of an exhibition catalogue called Seeing the Centre. The Art of Albert Namatjira by Alison French, published by the National Gallery of Australia in 2002. I want it or a similar picture of Hermannsburg with Aborigines and buildings for my new book The Original Australians, to be published by Allen & Unwin, Sydney, next year.

Hope you can help

Dr Josephine Flood

Thanks Simon, I appreciate the points you made, but Spencer and Baldwin were the first to introduce the words Dreamtime and Dreaming into the English language. Hence my interest.

I believe I am correct in saying that the S&B said that the Dreamtime was based on the words Alchera / Alcheringa in the Arunta / Arrernte language and referred to a creative period or the ancient time of creation.

S&B said the Dreaming (based on the word Tjurjunga) was and is closely associated with the Dreamtime but specifically identified a category of belief or action.

The Dreamtime is 'when' precents for living were established such as the social structure of a particular group of people (totemic relationships - clan, personal, moeity and other forms of totemism) when laws were established etc.

The Dreaming was basically the requirement of each generation to live the exact same lifestyle that was established in the Dreamtime...obeying the laws that originated then, participating in the rituals that were established then etc. Overall an expectation to maintain the status quo because that was a requirement that had been established in the Dreamtime.

What was distinct about the Dreamtime in different district was that there were particular creation stories and precedents for each tribal unit. So the stories of Central Australia were distinct from those in the Illawarra. There were also other distinctions in customs and rituals such as initiation...tooth avulsion is some tribes, other practices in other tribes.

Have a look at http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/culture/dreamtim.php where I am quoted from a book I wrote about the Dreamtime (which was published as a e-book). What I am suggesting, is that Aboriginal people seem happy with 'my version'??

Regards, Geoff Moore

Hi Simon,

Thanks for your email. My interest in Baldwin and Spencer's book / research findings is to get a quote about their research on the Dreamtime and Dreaming. I know broadly what they said, but don't have direct quotes from the book. If you have the time and can provide the details that would be appreciated but as I write this I haven't visited the page you mentioned in your email. Maybe the details are there?

I'm a white fella living in Sydney Australia. I have some Aboriginal friends and I am currently putting together a book about the Illawarra Aborigines (Illawarra being the Wollongong area south of Sydney). I've been conducting the research for about 7 years, very very interesting.

Thanks for your web site and again, thanks for your response to my inquiry.

Regards, Geoff Moore

Simon,

I recently found your web site and in particular - http://www.duckdigital.net/FOD/FOD0952.html titled The Arunta Chapter 1 - Introduction

Are any other Chapters available? If so, how can I find them?

Regards, Geoff Moore

Simon, My apologies for not addressing the the concentric circle/ hologram question. I just have not had the time. grant application, studio work and working on my house has kept me more busy than usual. also I am having a website designed for the paintings. Soon,

Frank Herrmann

Yes indeed. Let me know if it prompts anyone. Cheers.

Dear Simon-san,

Thank you for your reply!

>I do not sell churingas, but I buy them and I record details of the sales
>of ceremonial objects on eBay. Why are you interested in churingas?

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, because some of them are so attractive and I want to see and touch them with my hands.

Why? That is a good question.
Somehow, I am touched by them. I really do not why.
I have been collecting ethnic art, particularly primitive art.
And one day I came across Australian churingas.

I'm also interested in items such as
3732539236
3715303210.

Please do let me know if you might want to part with some of them at prices that you agree on!!

Arigato.

PS: I visited Australia five years ago and loved the country.

hm

Hi!

I want to know the price for 7333683554, and if it is agreeable I want you to reserve it for me.

Arigato!!

hm

Hi, I'm a Japanease interested in Australian churingas.

Do you sell these churingas that are shown in the web site??

If so, please let me know!

Arigato (Thank you!!)

hirofumi matsubayashi

Simon,

These attached images were found in a box at an auction in Newcastle, no provenance whatsoever. They appear to be taken in northern Australia, Top End.

Justin

sunny warm breeze, through the trees you moan my soul cries with you; for I am alone

william.rossin@us.army.mil

Sorry! And not so! It my nature at times to be cryptic with the questions which at times leads to wonderful fines like your last email. Apologies for the delay Independence Day Day here in the states and there was a cookout here a at place all day.

I'm Frank Herrmann an artist, painter, Professor of Fine Arts, School of Art, College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.

In the early 1980's I was in the Rockefeller collection of the Metropolitan Museum, NYC (at the same time there was pressure from the university to become computer literate, me dragging my feet) when I saw a small piece of rock carried by an aboriginal inscribed with the concentric circles with connecting bars motif which was a map of the sacred water holes. I felt what more important information could one want imbedded in a piece of silica (likening it to a computer chip) then where to fine water. The motif, although not copied found its way into the paintings as an answer to the pressure. The motif slowly disappeared from the paintings in the early nineties.

Small drawings I produced next involved a an oblong shape that was at times heavily marked. Had no idea where it came from!. In the late 90's I became connected to the web. I started looking at everything. Searching Australian artifacts turned up the churinga an I was amazed at the similarity with the shapes I had drawn. I'll send some images....some statements

At this same time my search has expanded into New Guinea. I was looking at everything. On by birthday in 2000 my anthropologist son handed me Dirk Schmidt's, Asmat Art I was hooked and have working on paintings with that influence since then. http://www.ohioonlinearts.org/index.html Type in Herrmann

Two years ago I became interested in message sticks and have read as much as i could fine, although very little. I think I understand their use ,purpose? But what happened in the mail room at school was that the UPS man put down some boxes and I must have been in the right moment to notice the tracking labels. Here was concentric circles and dots (peck marks?) Allowing this information, goods etc to travel safely across the landscape. I not sure how long message sticks have been used, 4000 years? 10,000 years? When i look at the labels I asked my self what has changed. And why does this motif make sense in the digital world, who developed it and is the modern landscape myth, do I write the letters to UPS and FEDX to find out where this was developed? And how do I attempt paintings with this idea. for over two years I have been on and off trying to deal with this and not trying to deal.

I like to find a message stick with the circles and dots that I felt was real. I have seen some offered that did not ring true even on the screen. For now I just save some here a there that look interesting and real.

I'm going to send images now. one at a time. First the work with the churinga images and then some where I'm trying to deal with the message stick / tracking label idea, also see statements attached

Simon, why do you do this? these are some wonderful mythic objects you are tracking. The motifs and use of these objects of interest to me.

Thanks, Frank

Is there a home site for these auctions. I'm most interested in message sticks.
Frank

I grew up with bull roarers in backwoods Kentucky. Where the Cherokee used them to scare game into a capture pit. Can you help me in remembering how to make them again. Convex means In or out?

Kenneth Goins; 325 Cragmor Rd #210; Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907.
Email; Kenneth.goins2@amedd.army.mil

Hi Simon,

I write cross-genre fantasy novels and poetry, see my site www.artmedia.com.au/cathar.htm, and www.1stmist.com Now just suppose Lasseter didn't reveal the full details of the location of his find because he was prevented from doing so. Think what a great hidout it would be, if anyone found the site. If they didn't want to be found, no one could find them.

They would then be in a position to use it as a base for, what? Suppose The Messiah of Lasseter's Reef actually finds it, but discloses its location only to those of his disciples whom he wants to join him there, for what? For whatever the devotees of a cult can be trained for, whether good or bad.

I have thought of writing a controversial novel along these lines, but I can't afford to go looking for the Reef. Any advice however would be much appreciated.

Yours - Adrian Rogers

Dear Simon,

Thanks for the prompt reply, the search, and the consideration of my request. Two things: first, you are correct about the URL. Second, regarding the tortures of maintaining your site: Huh? I'm nearly a computer moron. It all sounds complex and awful. I really admire your labors from a cautious distance!

Yours, Virginia Kropas

Dear Simon,

I've just read S. Thybony's notes on talks with Judge Leslie. I've had the honor to meet him. He is a very spiritual and thoughtful man. Thanks for maintaining the site. I haven't been able to print out those notes. Is there a reason.

Virginia Kropas

Hi Simon: My interest tems from a nice colection of Oceanic items that I just purchased. Most is from Australia via a museum which deacsssoned it. Items include shield clubs (a.k.a. stick shields), fighting sticks, a spear thrower, a fighting (non-returning) boomerang, clapping sticks, sacred message boards, a stick knife with imbeded blades like sharks' teeth but made of quartz crystal, a wide-bladed, deeply-serrated stabbing sword, a spear thrower and throwing clubs.

It's me again, Simon - I accidentally hit 'send' before signing off or using spell check. To continue: Another neat item in the collection I purchased is a two-handed club about 4 1/2 feet long, studded with large and small knobs (but all thin) facing in all directions over most of its length. A formidable weapon! Since my initial message, I found some additional info, but not much. Major auction catalogs were of little help. My next move is to contact museums in Australia unless you know of U.S. collections and would so advise me. Best, Joel

Reply:

Thanks for the great site. Can you lead me to a site with comparable info on Aboriginal stick shields, fighting sticks, spear throwers and boomerangs?

Thanks in advance, Joe Goleman

Reply:

Dear Simon

Thank you for replying my letter. But I am sorry because I forgot to include that the documents had to be written in the 1800's. To be specific, could you recommend a book or internet site(I am not sure, but the information that is obtained form a site wouldn't be primary, right?) that shows sympathetic or non-sympathic views towards aboriginals from other groups.

Thank you again in advance

Triple HHH

Reply:

Hi Simon

I was looking for some primary documents on aboriginal racism and I came across your site. So I was wondering if you could either send me some documents or recommend a book or site for it. Also, if you any documents showing sympathetic views towards aboriginals, then if you could send me that as well. And if you could also recommend some sites on aboriginal history, then that would be great. If you are sending me some documents, then could you tell me the sources of them.

Thank You in advance

Reply:

Hello

I was wondering if you could send me links directly to Harold Lasseter diary entries from he's expedition that he went on to try and discover the gold reef. Or send me any relevant details that show what he did on his expedition.

Thankyou please just reply to lyndal_maree@hotmail.com

Reply:

Simon,

I have just returned from 7 days in Alice and 3 in Adelaide.

I went to Mt. Liebig for a day. I think people knew I was going because I had met a few of them in Alice and they remembered me!

Here are my thoughts on the following:

Alice

I found Alice a bit disappointing at first. Obviously things change but I just found that the shops appeared to be slower than normal. The casino was ‘dead’ compared to a decade ago. The tourist industry seemed to have slowed down- perhaps as a result of September 11.

There were lots more aboriginal people in town than I remember but I found out that royalty payments have just been made and perhaps that was one reason that they were in town.

I also noticed a major increase in the aboriginal art industry. It was just everywhere...everywhere I looked I saw art centre troop carriers. A decade ago there was only Papunya Tula and a few others. Now it seemed every community has its own art centre as well as the commercial art galleries.

Positive- It is good to see that aboriginals are starting to create, preserve their culture and make money from it- although the ‘real’ money is made at Sotheby’s by the rich white people.

Negative- It concerns me that because of the vast number of art around that when the next recession/ down turn occurs and sales start to drop of that the aboriginals have become too reliant on it and have no other ‘back up’plan. By this I mean education/ training/ skills to get jobs.

Mt. Liebig

From what I saw the things were pretty much the same. There were a few more new buildings but generally the people were the same- except they were 10 years older- some had died.

I can’ t really comment on any more than that because I was only there for the day and there was sorry business going on. It was also the day after sit down money and most were playing cards. The winner takes all and they go to town to buy a new car, fill it up with grog and...

It’ s such a hard thing to comment on.

That is my summary

Arthur

Simon,

When I was there is 94-96 petrol sniffing was only a 'minor' issue.

The problem was drinking.

Also I do remember we had a community meeting in 95 about converting to av gas.....I can't remember the outcome though.

As I have already said I'm here now and I will give you my thoughts next week. I am going for a day trip to Liebigh tomorrow.

Arthur

Reply:

Simon,

I worked there from 94-96 and was in Alice for a while in 93.

Due to family issues I left to help my dad in late 96.

I have not been back to the Centre since then.

I reason I have shown interest is becasue I am currently on vacation in Alice for the first time since 96. I am here until Saturday.

I am in two minds about going to Liebig. I would like to see how things have turned out but then I have great memories that I don't want to spoil.

I also have a young family with me making thins/ trips even more difficult.

Arthur

Reply:

Ironic.....April 18 is my birthday as well.
I was a teacher there over a decade ago now and spent a couple of years there.
Thanks for all your help with the info.

Arthur

Reply:

Thanks for your email Simon.

I agree that it is German. I used to work there as teacher over a decade ago and was just doing some research. I know that the aboriginal name is Watiyawanu which means 'amongst the tress'. I asked one of the aboriginals one day and I remembered. If you find out then I would be interested for my own interest. Liebig Fleisch is a name that has popped up in my reaserch though.

Arthur

Reply:

Hi Simon,

I was on your website and was wondering if you knew who Mt. Liebig was named after. I look forward to you reply.

Arthur

Reply:

I would be interested to know if you have any information pertaining to a painting which was done by a group of Lubras in the Tanami Desert. It is of Mully grubs and the title appears to be "Withetty Grub Dreaming" with the name Warlpiri and another name which I do not believe is spelled correctly Cwgarlkirdi. The first three of four letters of this last name I cannot decipher.

I have found the name Warlpiri in some of the information of the internet but nothing I can relate to regarding this item.

Thanks for your assistance.

J.A. Maloney

Reply:

Simon hello - gina ~(stubbs's wife!)

ive just been really intoxicated by youre site and its way to late to be reading for that long!

fortunately i twice got a bad explorer crash when i clicked to hear you sing, so I have read/seen some of this - i need to spend far more time with this to be able to see the shape and structure - is it linked like a mind map or more sequential/obviously chronological? - brilliant, thank you

Gina

Reply: missing

Hi fellow Australian,

Today when we celebrate the Australian National day I am reflecting on the national song of advance Australia fair. For whatever it is worth I think it is disappointing that it does not allude to the aboriginees in some way. My email address is rjvmfreeman@hotmail.com

Yours sincerely

Victoria

Reply: Thur, 27 Jan 2005 12:10:41

Hello Simon,

Thanks for your response and thanks for sharing. Your father's story is remarkable, sad, romantic and powerful. Hmmm - sounds Homeric - perhaps a reason for the bond to 'The Hostage'.

It sounds right on track that singing it would be easier than recitation of the prose. Modern translations favor the prose for accessibility but it is the song or poetic versions that the original bards of Greece carried with them. Your father's wandering and singing certainly resonates of an ancient bard.

'Where did all the Greek go?' Seems like you have it and have shared some with me!

Peace & Blessings

Robert

Santa Fe, NM

Reply: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 11:04 PM

Greetings,

I came across your site in searching for information regarding the ability (anyone's) to recite Homer's Iliad. Being Greek and a having a long time interest in Greek history and culture, I've recently become (re)interested in Homer. If you can recount or reference any of your father's ability in this recitation, I'd be very much interested. This is so remarkable. I wouldn't even think it possible. A truly remarkable feat.

Michael Wood's in his 'In Search of the Trojan War' describes a Gaelic orator who has this talent - it is very rare indeed.

> Reference: 'He also taught himself ancient Greek and, returning to the
>centre in 1976, managed to climb Central Mount Olga in order to look back
>over where he had been and recite The Iliad
> which he had learnt by heart'
>

Blessings

Robert

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Reply: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 11:04 PM

The coverage of the trip is very good. To me it is very strange the a writer, iobviously educated in miles, and pounds shillings and pence, starts off telling a story is this light and towards the finish talks in kilometres and cents per litre. Strange, one would be led to believe that there is a trait of bullshit in the story.

Yours faithfully.C.B.

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