 Djarruga
Djarruga the mother scrub hen laid her
eggs and left them at Yarrabah (local
indigenous community) then went to
find a place to build her nest.
She built the huge 922 meter high nest “Djarragun”.
From here she could protect her chicks by being able to see all corners
of the land. Locals call this mountain Walsh’s Pyramid. Indigenous
people still call it Djarragun and that is the name we will be using.
I can think of no better place to set up the
Peace Embassy -“ A place where promises to children are kept”-
and from where we too can keep a watchful eye out for those who
would harm the children of the
world.
Next stop was to see Seith Formile, traditional owner and spokesperson
for the Gimuy-Yudinji people whose area covers Cairns and surrounding
district including Gordonvale and Djarragun Mountain. Seith put on
the kettle while we caught up on indigenous issues and projects we
are both working on. One close to his heart - touch screens he is
putting on Cairns esplanade - will show visitors and locals where
they can find authentic indigenous artifacts and culture.
We sit looking at the computer screen at some of his artwork for
this project. I’m impressed! I can’t help getting a mental
picture of Seith in traditional costume performing a smoking ceremony
at a function a couple of years ago when we first met. Not only can
he dance and sing but he plays a mean guitar. Like a lot of indigenous
leaders he has a lot on his shoulders. We need to show more indigenous
people that to become involved is not all-hard work. It’s often
lots of fun. I am pleased to say I have always found Seith with a
smile on his face.
I look forward, as I am sure he does, to working together on many
exciting projects and having fun along the way.
We talk about the Wailing event I would like to start with his Aunty
Mavis. I leave it with him to arrange a meeting sometime in the future.
Something’s can’t be hurried.
While I have been involved with indigenous people for well over
thirty years, now I am focussing more on the global stage keeping
my promise to Caitlin for a better world. There is still a long way
to go here in Australia before indigenous children have a level playing
field. People like Seith and Jean from Djarragun are doing a great
deal to level that field. I will be happy lend a hand where I can.
Over the next few years the Peace Embassy, Djarragun and the Yudinji
people through Seith will together inspire many more indigenous children
to reach their full potential.
I leave Seith and drive back to Cairns knowing although we come
from different cultures, we are good friends who trust each other
and have so much in common. Why can’t others see and learn
from this?
“ Keep travelling, never arrive”
Frank Wesley
Frank Wesley is a very talented Indian -Australian artist now living on the
Sunshine Coast. In the early 70’s Frank became one of my many mentors.
Frank showed me the magic of watercolors in the hands of a master. Time spent
with him was always calming and inspiring and while Frank is a man of few words,
each of those words were pearls of wisdom that have stayed with me forever.
The sayings above and below are among my favorites.
“ Paint the juice of the orange – not
the orange”
Friday Sept 17 arrange more appointments for early next week then head to the
dental clinic. Two teeth less I was feeling better than I thought. Thank
heavens they were back teeth!
Saturday Sept 18 feeling okay, decided it is better to do something
than sit around feeling sorry for myself. So take mum for a drive
to show her Gordonvale and Djarragun. (Mums like to know where you
will live and make sure it is a safe place, even if you are 58 years
old). On the way we stop at a Lifeline thrift shop, where we both
buy bundles of ten books for a $1.00. Little did I know these books
would help inspire me to write this little book.
I drive to where we can get a good view of Djarragun Mountain. I
get a great feeling just being at its base and make a promise that
I will be fit enough to climb to the top of “Djarruga’s
Nest” and see what that mother hen could see.
On a natural high, I drive past Djarragun Indigenous College now
quiet except for a few boarders getting ready to head off somewhere.
I look at a vacant block of land two doors from the school and wonder
what lies ahead for Djarragun? Expansion I would say.
I park in the main street of Gordonvale. Here the mill dominates
on one side but Djarragun, a fair distance away overpowers everything.
Having left the Sunshine Coast where the Nambour’s old sugar
mill has now closed down, I wonder how long it will be before this
town and mill suffer the same fate.
The Gordonvale community is unaware what I have planned for their
district! I know, as I stand here, that this is indeed the right
place for the global headquarters of the ………..
Peace Embassy
“A place where promises to children are kept”.
The best mentor is one who shares their knowledge and themselves with you.
Monday Sept 20 While I knew I needed to be patient and wait for
Seith to arrange the meeting with Aunty Mavis re the wailing event,
I sensed as I woke that something big was unfolding. I make a cup
of tea and sit at the computer and write the title for a book.
Old
Unfit
and Unemployed.
I had the title and knew how the cover should look. The rest would
unfold as it was meant to.
Carole my mate was soon to find out that I wanted her to help me
edit this very book.
A few hours later I rush to make an appointment with Wayne at E
Banc Trade on Mulgrave Road. Before I came north this time. E Banc
Trade through their E Foundation had sponsored me in the form of
trade dollars. I wanted to know what businesses were involved in
the Far North and how I might be able to spend some of these trade
dollars. The only problem I had found so far is that you have to
use 50% cash and 50% trade dollars- which is fine if you have cash
to start with!
While talking to Wayne about the projects including the Peace Embassy
and handprints from Palestine, a thought flashed through my mind:
I decided I should write, publish and launch this book within a month-
showing people especially children how quickly things could change
if we were game enough to think differently. I mentioned this to
Wayne and asked him if any of the E Banc traders would let me use
100% trade to publish a little book.
Wayne thought Aquarius Printers in Townsville might be interested.
We also talked about how I could get a car for a few weeks. I don’t
like using my sister’s car too much - it’s as old as
the one I left down the Sunshine Coast.
I leave these thoughts with him and head a few doors down the road.
Two Hands
24 hours into your life
The waiting now is over
To the “Angel of Good Fortune”
We say
Welcome Caitlin Jean
Looking at you so small, so delicate
Your tiny hand holds on so tight
It symbolizing your life ahead
The loving hand of Jay – your dad
“ Angel” we may not know what lies ahead
But you picked a good place to be.
Kerry Bowden 1/12/2000
Granma Kerry happy to meet you.
...next.....Backin Time
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