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In 1976 I made and threw my first boomerangs and a ‘window’ into Australia’s Aboriginal culture opened. In that year I travelled to Alice Springs and met a local Aboriginal watercolour artist. Then in 1983 I visited Cairns to meet a Mornington Island artist known for bark paintings, and later flew to Broome and shared special days with two highly respected elders. Since then I’ve had the privilege of meeting custodians and boomerang craftsmen from various regions, some of whom I’m still in touch with. I gained valuable information from them about traditional subjects and enjoyed many good times, but The First Boomerang is a work of fiction, except for historical details, created from my thoughts, intuition and experiences.
Traditionally, Aboriginal peoples had no written languages, their cultures maintained by oral tradition. “Language” words therefore are usually interpretations made by linguists after interacting with native speakers. In the text I’ve written English names first, followed by language names. For example Ayers Rock (Uluru), which is well known, and Anzac Hill (Atnelkentyarliweke) that’s hardly known at all. As well as difficult pronunciation, spellings change. For example Arunta, Aranda, Arrarnta and Arrernte have been, or still are, used to name Aboriginal clans in and around Alice Springs. For the story I prefer Aranda, as does the Elder, because it is easier to pronounce at first attempt than Arrernte, the most recent version. Unfortunately, my use of “language” words is not consistent because spellings vary, but I urge the reader’s indulgence! Also, because of respect for Aboriginal culture and the complexity of skin names and kinship systems, I gave the Elder a European name only.
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This site visit was just a warm-up for the big Rock Art trip ahead, but already the group had been confronted with a puzzle. For Rob it came soon after his unusual thoughts about the Universe and the unseasonal storm, so he made a written note then finished his video recording and photography. Then he and the group returned to the Resort with an ancient, yet modern-day mystery fresh in their minds.
A brisk morning of about six degrees Celsius had become 24 degrees after lunch, as group members set out on foot to explore the famous town. Some walked through the sandy Todd River bed, others took the road bridge, all eventually meeting at Ghost Gums Bar & Grill for dinner. Later that afternoon was also the time when Rob and the Elder were to meet on Anzac Hill, and the natural atmosphere was changing.
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