Journal-No07_2010
1/11/10
11:33 AM
Page 18
A B O R I G I N A L E D U C AT I O N
Kunmanara – learner, educator, leader The legacy left by Stanley Minning will be hard to match writes Geoff Rogers. “He defused potentially volatile situations with humour and improved cross-cultural understanding of newly appointed teachers even teaching them his language.”
O
ver 300 mourners drove along a dusty track north of Yalata Community to the cemetery recently past a school where a significant educational leader, Stanley Minning, worked much of his career and the Sorry Camp where friends and relatives had shared their grief before the burial proceedings were conducted. Oak Valley School students in their colourful uniforms formed a guard of honour as the coffin, covered in Sturt Desert Peas, and a spinifex wreath was carried into the cemetery. Three generations of his students were present including two, now Anangu ministers, leading the ceremonies. State records show Stanley Minning was born near Ilkurlka north of Tjuntjuntjara in the Great Victoria Desert on 1 January 1934. As a young boy his name was Minningka, after his tjamu or grandfather. He told teacher friends about the long walk his little legs endured over 500 kilometres with his mama (father) and nguntju (mother) to a new camp at Ooldea Soak Mission on the edge of the Nullarbor. His father navigated by the stars and knew the names of many. Mr Minning remembered being scared when seeing his first white man (a dingo hunter) and a train! At the Ooldea Mission Stanley’s job was to look after a goat herd. Later he 18
was an assistant to Harry Green, the United Aboriginal Mission-appointed teacher. There was no government funding in those times, the school being built of railway sleepers. In 1952 Ooldea Mission was closed, so Stanley and a group of families walked south. Soon after, atomic bomb tests started at Maralinga and more Anangu were forced to move from their traditional lands. The Walkabout School – with Stanley as sole teacher – moved to wherever water was available. A Lutheran Mission was established at Yalata, where Stanley often taught in tandem with church-appointed teachers. Albert Whitelaw, the Superintendent of Aboriginal Schools, had the foresight to realise how important it was to have Pitjantjatjara teachers in Anangu schools and Stanley was the first appointee by DECS in the early seventies teaching middle primary. Other appointments followed at Ernabella and Indulkana. When an elder with his Christian name passed away Stanley became Mr Minning from then on as a mark of respect to the deceased person. Mr Minning was a leader in a number of positions at Yalata School including as community liaison teacher who did much to bring the community and school closer together. When the community faced challenges, he was the rock, the constant supporter of some teachers
who found working there difficult. He defused potentially volatile situations with humour and improved cross-cultural understanding of newly appointed teachers even teaching them his language. After the Maralinga Lands were handed back to the traditional owners, some moved back to Oak Valley. Mr Minning moved again with his people. The school changed from a tarpaulin with a visiting teacher to a caravan and shelter, and eventually a modern set of buildings. Mr Minning was back in the country he loved. He liked nothing better than to sit on the red sand drawing patterns with a stick and telling stories. After an illness forced him to retire he came back as a coordinator to assist the Oak Valley School’s leadership to guide the progress of students. Mr Minning is now known as Kunmanara. The Pitjantjatjara call people who have passed away this name as a mark of respect for the one whose name can no longer be mentioned. Kunmanara is remembered by a multitude of educators as a man with a cheeky sense of humour. He was a loyal friend to many piranpa or white teachers. In the big smoke, he rode an escalator despite the fear, travelled in a lift with his eyes closed to make students laugh, flew in an aeroplane against his better judgement and viewed many things in the city with the wonder and curiosity of a true learner. Kunmanara’s dedication and huge contribution to the education of Anangu for more than 50 years is a legacy few will match! On his last night he chose to sleep under the stars that provided guidance to his parents and the young boy who grew to become the teacher remembered and respected by so many. Q Vale Kunmanara Kunmanara’s son gave permission for his story to be told and his photo to be published to the writer.