One of the most powerful historical documents I've found originated from the aunty of a mate of mine. Written in 1926 it is an impassioned plea to the King of England to allow Aboriginal and half-caste children permission to attend the Batemans Bay Public School.
Interestingly the letter was officially unacknowledged. Best left for your own interpretation.
Frying Pan's Theology
Scene: On Monaro.
Dramatis Personae:
Shock headed blackfellow,
Boy (on a pony).
Snowflakes are falling
So gentle and slow,
Youngster says, 'Frying Pan,
What makes it snow?'
Frying Pan confident
Makes the reply--
'Skake 'im big flourbag
Up in the sky!'
'What if there's miles of it!
Surely that's brag.
Who is there strong enough
Shake such a bag?'
'What parson tellin' you,
Ole Mister Dodd,
Tell you in Sunday-school?
Big feller God!
He drive 'im bullock dray,
Then thunder go,
He shake 'im flour bag--
Tumble down snow!'
Banjo Patterson
Think about that... I had decided to finish with this blog because I had exhausted the historical research the blog was started to accomplish. A recent reading of a 19th century Australian poem has reignited a desire to publish a few thoughts on, amongst other things, some indigenous themes in relation to the truthful but largely ignored history of European Invasion.
I have a few themes that seem to haunt me and deserve airing I think. This blog regardless of me stopping posting, after 5 years, still recieves thousands of visitors a month and is a platform for some expression I shouldn't ignore.
So Dave's back just there wont be much ACT. Hopefully I'll help, at least, start a conversation.
Dave
