Wik Kath Min: The Aurukun Good Story Book

THE AURUKUN GOOD STORY BOOK

WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THIS LAND AND ALL THE ELDERS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. ACTION GROUP MEMBERS

ACTION GROUP MEMBERS

Doug AHLERS

Harriet POOTCHEMUNKA

Barbara BANDICOOTCHA

Sonia SHORTJOE

Sandra BOWENDA

Keri TAMWOY

Janine CHEVATHUN

Adelaide TOIKALKIN

Kailung HUDSON

Lois TOIKALKIN

Maureen KARYUKA

Sarah WOLMBY

Jenny KAWANGKA

Shirley WOLMBY

Maryann KERINDUN

Ada WOOLLA

Vera KOOMEETA

Amelia WOOLLA

Jonathan KORKAKTAIN

Eloise YUNKAPORTA

Jasper KOWEARPTA

Glenys YUNKAPORTA

Vera LANDIS

Herbert YUNKAPORTA

Michelle MARBENDINAR

Jonah YUNKAPORTA

Sharon NGALLAMETTA

Phyllis YUNKAPORTA

Helen PAMTOONDA

Roderick YUNKAPORTA

Clarence PEINKINNA

Ron YUNKAPORTA

Dorothy POOTCHEMUNKA

Roxanne YUNKAPORTA Susie YUNKAPORTA.

Some of the Wik Kath Min Community Action Group Members

We would also like to acknowledge the wisdom, the values and the strong and loving spirits of our elders: the grandmothers, the grandfathers, the mothers, the fathers and all the Aunties and Uncles who mentored us and who passed on their Wik values to us so that we, now, may also pass these on.

DEDICATION This book is dedicated to the memory of Donovan Walmbeng: Apalech man, Family man and Chair of the Aurukun Justice Group and Justice group member and Mediator, Aurukun Restorative Justice Project.

There is a close connection between this book and Donovan. He was the inspiration for me working on the Wik Kath Min Project. When setting up the ARJP we went to Lotus Glen to get the boys there to establish the rules for mediation. On returning to Aurukun I was discussing these rules with Donovan and he said that the rules were good but didn’t go far enough.

He then went on to say that we needed to work on getting agreement on rules for living in Aurukun, “house rules” he said and something that “everyone can agree on to live together in this town” This project and this book has come from the WIK people of Aurukun who, like Donovan, have worked for improving the lives of community members to live together with the values they share.

Phil Venables

PHOTO: Phil Venables talking to Aurukun Elders, Sarah and Rebecca Wolmby about Wik Kath Min.

The Inspiration Behind Wik Kath Min Donovan Walmbeng’s Story Even when he was not that old, people looked up to Donovan. When people came to his house, they were drawn to him, just to sit and listen to him. He always offered hospitality to others. He would teach his grandchildren and other young people. He would explain to each person how they are connected. He told each person what their role in the community is. He didn’t label people. When there were clan fights, he would tell people to forgive each other because we are all connected. He would ask his partner to go and check if people were OK. Donovan worked hard when he was younger, in the mission, then in the store, then the bank and the bush airways. He worked for ACI, the outstation support agency. He was strong for sending kids to school, especially his grandchildren.

Donovan was from Cape Keerweer but his heart was at Love River. His dream was to protect that country and its significant sites, like the carpet snake place. We are trying to carry on his dream, by getting an Indigenous Protected Area declared.

As the Chairperson of the Community Justice Group, Donovan would always make people laugh. He would start the meeting with a funny story, like how he had seen so-and-so doing something funny yesterday. He wouldn’t let anyone sit with a straight face. He would make everyone laugh, especially Ralph Peinkinna (deceased) and Martha Koowarta and Leo Yunkaporta (deceased). He wouldn’t start the meeting until everyone was smiling and happy.

Donovan was an important person in my growth. He was the chairperson of the Community Justice Group when I first joined as a young person. During the meetings, he used to say “Girl, do you want to say anything?”, but I would say “No, I will just sit back and listen because you are all the elders”. But when I did say something, he would say “I am very proud of you, not only as the Justice Group chair but as your uncle, because I can see you will be a leader.”

It was Donovan’s idea for families to agree some “house rules” so everyone can live happily and peacefully in Aurukun. The Wik Kath Min project will turn Donovan’s idea into reality. I am committed to Wik Kath Min.

Janine Chevathun

CONTENTS We have an in-depth spiritual connection to our country and our kin.

Ngan wik ngench thayan a‘ aak puul a’ kampan.kooch anathan aak wantin.palin.

We care for and protect our children, our elders and our families.

Ngan ma’ pathathanan puk manyiy a’ wanchinth a’ wuut a’ kampan ngantam.an We teach our children the right way – to follow Western laws and traditional cultural ways.

Ngan puk manyiy ngantam kon aathanan woyan minan wakayn.

We are skilled at making peace and we have the hearts to forgive each other.

Ngan ngangk min iiyan a’ngank thee’an ngantakam yipman aak.an enyan thanow.

We love doing things together and feel connected by our shared experiences.

Ngan kaangk karpam nyiinan yipmam kemp a’kuchek min wunow.

We empower our children through teaching them culture AND sending them to school.

Ngan wik thayan kon aathanan puk ngantam a school.ak kuchanan.

We care for others and share what we have.

Ngan ma’aathanan ngantakam a thee’anan yuk way min.

We are friendly and respectful to everyone in our community.

Ngan ngangk min patham yotam.ant.

We like to make connections and bring back experiences from the world outside Aurukun.

Ngan aak thonakan mo’anan wik ngeey.anak a’ thawanan aniya ngan palam wampanan aak Aurukun.ak.

We seek worthwhile employment and training and mentoring so we can support our families and provide stability in our homes.

Ngan work a training min.aka yipman kampan ngantanam aawuch min.ang pi.an.

We like a nice place to live.

Ngan aak min.ang kaangk wunan.

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This creature is called Sharp Eyes Owl. It can see if danger is coming from a long distance. It can put people in its nest to keep them safe.

Jaron Koonutta

This creature can create a forcefield with his wings to protect the land.

Tyrell Wolmby

This creature has a mermaid tail. It makes people feel happy and it makes them feel at home.

Shirleen Bowenda

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‘The paint hasn’t changed – it stays as it was. It is important to introduce the little ones back into their identity as a strong identity builds confidence in them. Knowing their identity and place in the social world of Aurukun teaches them to behave properly towards one another. The best place for this to happen is out on their own country.’

Herbert Yunkaporta

I like to spend the weekends fishing with my family. We like going to the outstation because we feel strong there.

— Nikita —

‘I want him to be a stockman when he grows up.

BROTHER

I want him to go out bush and care for country.

‘My brother makes me feel safe.

Care for your country. I want him to know that caring

We stay in the same house.

for your country and knowing your country is really

We go fishing down to the beach

important. I want him to have a good life.’

and catch fish.’

Anna Kerindun

By Clayton Landis

3

Phyllis Yunkaporta's

Dream

My dream is to start living on my country - while not forgetting my community and continuing to help shape it. I would like all my sons and daughters and grandchildren and my cousins and nieces and nephews to be out there with me.

I would like to have my own school out there and, eventually, I would like to build up an academy and use direct instruction as a teaching method to teach the little ones how to read and write. I would also like to teach the little ones culture and add in all the good stories from our community from the Wik Kath Min Storybook.

At the moment I am studying for my Bachelor of Education in Primary School Teaching. Eventually, I hope to move into an administrative capacity to oversee the work done by young local people with teaching qualifications.

On country, once we are all set up, I want to oversee and coordinate the running of our collective operations on our homeland.

In the afternoons, out on country, we will have reading sessions where I read and then the children read and we check their comprehension.

We will read in English and in Wik. If we do that, then a new generation will grow up - peaceful and educated and equipped to live a happy and peaceful life. With appropriate qualifications in their chosen profession, the children schooled in my homeland will be able to achieve all their goals. Anman Kan.

Phyllis Yunkaporta 4

GOING BACK TO COUNTRY : Barbara Bandicootcha’s Story It was a healing process that I had to take. I’d lost my baby, and all my elders were gone. I had to go out to country. On country I could feel the presence of my people. All I had to do was put my foot in that soil and reconnect. That was my therapy.

In our community it can be difficult for people to get back to country - as often as they need too - and experience that sense of connection. But my outstation is only ten minutes outside of town. It is my grandmother’s country, through my dad.

When I first went back to country, I lived out there with just a mosquito net. After that I had a tent. And now, seven years later, I have a house.

At the moment we are preparing and cleaning the camp sites so that we can bring in the disengaged youth from town. We want the youth group to come out to country, and all the disengaged kids. I want all these kids to see that they do have somewhere that they can go. They have this place. This is home.

The paint makes us who we are. It’s our identity and my concentration is on the disengaged kids and in sharing the good stories and getting others involved in what we are doing.

Being out there, on country, will make all the difference. Letting the disengaged kids know that we are all family and we all belong.

Barbara Bandicootcha 5

I like to go out and see my country and tribal land. We go hunting, fishing, (collecting) sugar bag and bush yam. My brother tells the stories of our country. My language is Wik Alken and I would like to see our language being kept strong.

Agnes Toikalkin

Jonah Yunkaporta

My family is my good story. I have a daughter, and I also have a niece who loves me and who misses me whenever I go away. I would like to feel more freedom in town, just like I feel when I’m out on country. I want the freedom to walk around and do whatever I want to do, whenever I wants to do it. And I want that same kind of freedom

Garry Namponan

for my daughter and my niece.

Celestine Bowenda

Jock

These storybeads tell the story of a special day that I spent with my niece and my cousinsister in Brisbane. My niece was seeking treatment for an aggressive cancer at the hospital in Brisbane. I asked my cousin-sister, Bernadette, if she could escort our niece to Brisbane because I had to work. I would follow afterwards, once I could take a few weeks off work to be with my niece.

When I got to Brisbane, we all went to Southbank and there we saw some beautiful flowers planted in the gardens. My niece wanted me to have flowers, just like the ones that we saw in Southbank, back home in our garden in Aurukun, so that we would always remember this beautiful day that we all spent together. She didn’t want me to be sad.

My niece never cried during her treatment, even though she was very young - only 22 - and later lost her battle with cancer. It was her wish that myself and my partner, Craig Koomeeta, would continue working in Aurukun for our community.

Janine Chevathun 6

(Janine is a Police Liason Officer)

‘I painted flowers on these beads because I love the flowers around Aurukun. I always picked flowers when I was a little girl. I used to go out and pick water-lilies with my grandmother.’

Shirley Wolmby

Country is important to me.

And learning about culture.

— Waynead Wolmby —

MUM ‘This is my Mum. My mum is special. She looks after me.’

By Sherlane.

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MIRACLE IN AURUKUN I first came to Aurukun because I love my Granny’s country. It is a deadly country. I worked for the CDEP. I was the supervisor for the fencing gang, and then I worked for the groundsman at the school.

This is when I got very sick. I was in a lot of pain.

I went to the clinic. And the doctor, he told me that I had three days to live because I had a bad heart. I had a heart attack at the school, in front of the kids.

When I went home I felt pain in my heart and I lay down on my bed. All of my family, my friends and the elders all came to my Aunty’s home to pray for me.

When I got back from Cairns (where I’d been in hospital) the pain was worse. My brothers and sisters were sad but all of my family, and friends were all around me.

I was on a walker for two years.

My Uncle was very sad because the doctor had explained to him that I was very sick and that I was dying. He was very sad but then, miraculously, I started to get better!

Now I can walk again. Now I am back on my two feet and I work for Laurie Linder Constructions company.

I thank God and all my family, friends and all the elders for being there for me. I thank everyone who prayed for me. Now I am fit as a fiddle. Thank you all in Aurukun. This is a deadly community!

Matthew Doomadgee (This extract was taken from the Matthew Doomadgee – Miracle in Aurukun story.)

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This is Kang Kang Snake.

Anderson

This creature can swim fast to save people who fall out of their boat.

Gerald

Seeing a rainbow on the beach — By Lincoln —

The creature has kangaroo legs. The kangaroo is my sister’s totem and it can keep my culture strong.

John

‘A good thing about Aurukun, that is also a hard thing about Aurukun, is that people can still have culture and belief in their hearts – but they just forget how to live those things together in their lives.

If we can get those things right in our hearts, we can all have a good life in Aurukun.’

Ralph Yousia

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My brother is a well known artist.

He makes barramundi, crocodile, crayfish, crab and sea animal sculptures. He knows copper. Growing up, he had a small piece of wire and he made a helicopter out of it. Later, he made a bigger one. That is what started his arts career. My brother doesn’t want to do art anywhere else. Just on country. He tells stories to my kids of where he’s been with his art.

Laurelle Poonkamelya

When I saw the Wik vs Qld documentary, I was very happy because I thought now the young people will see how the old people won their native title rights. Sometimes I don’t think that the young people know this history.

But I want them to see how those old people fought with their words and not their fists.

Phyllis Yunkaporta

Eloise Yunkaporta is learning how to weave baskets.

(This image is taken from The Walking Canvas : A Good Story for Women and Children in Aurukun)

Our lifestyle is to be continued. It’s good for the young ones to grow up and know that too. There’s lots of free food out there! There are fruits growing along the beach that are good for cancer. They are the best fruits that we have here.

At the moment we’re picking seed for the mining company to use during re-planting. We’re collecting yam seed, yellow fruit and cottonwood tree.

If Rosie and I were to design a t-shirt to wear it would say on the front: ‘Wik Kath Min - Aak Min! (Good stories - Good Place)

Sharon Ngallametta’s good story is collecting yellow fruit from the po’al tree with her children (This image is taken from The Walking Canvas : A Good Story for Women and Children in Aurukun) 10

Rufus Namponan

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This unicorn’s head represents love, hope and trust. The signals flowing from the horns are a colourful way of keeping everyone safe and happy inside and out. Safe, Happy.

Community – Aurukun.

Eloise Yunkaporta

Our creature has a special place inside to keep the people, represented by eggs – safe. Her colours represent different aspects of the landscape.

Christabell Woolla & Zooriaah Woolla

This creature has a snake tail with rainbow colours to help people be more peaceful. The black is where the snake was burnt during a bushfire. It has the memory of being burnt.

Rickita Ngallametta.

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‘When kids are walking around on the street at night, I tell them to come into my house and I keep them safe. When my Uncle Jack found out I was doing this, he brought over some sleeping bags for the kids to use.’

Aurukun woman

My good story, that I will tell the story-birds, is that their mother will always feed them.

— Altiyan (Prep ‐ Grade 2) —

Pretty Snake

by Anthony Yunkaporta He has an orange shield. ‘He has beautiful colours.

He speaks nicely. He protects his children. He can keep the kids safe.

Mothers can keep their babies safe with him.’

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stinger ray was created by Azaleah Woolla ‘It has a shield and a spear.

It has wings to fly around town.

He can keep Aurukun safe.’

Flying Kangaroo was created by Ricco Hudson ‘It has Emu legs, a kangaroo head, a snake tail and an emu body.

It can also see at night. It has wings and flies over to stop things with it’s shield - and a spear to scare things away.’

‘The eggs inside the body of this creature are people (in Aurukun) being protected. The creature’s thick skin protects the people inside. The two shields keep the bad words and the bad things out. The bad things that people do can’t get through. The blue is for the shield. The shield is covered in clan designs and Aboriginal designs.’

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Jimmy

TIGER SNAKE was created by Markita Woolla ‘He has beautiful colours and stripes. He has a shield to protect other people. He keeps everyone safe with his shield.’

HARRY THE Kangaroo

By Angus Kerindun ‘Harry the Kangaroo has legs that are so big, she can jump really high. She has big ears to listen to things far away. She puts people in her pouch to carry them to safety.’

Big Eyed Kangaroo SNAKE was created by Jenaya

By Kenlock Wikmunica ‘He has a pouch to put people in and big eyes to see trouble and to help people. It can pick people up and take them to safety’

‘It has big teeth. It has a shield all around it. It keeps the babies safe.’

When I reflect on all the art that the

Scorpliz can

school kids have produced for Wik Kath

carry

Min, I can see that the kids want to live in a

people away from danger. People

better community – a safer community.

can walk on its back like a bridge to

Aurukun man Lotus Glen Correctional Facility

get them to safety. It can do a special dance to make people happy.

Riley Baker 15

When

Tiana Kalkeeyorta imagined a creature that

would help keep Aurukun a safe, happy and peaceful place, this creature was part bird so that it’s wings could carry it quickly to trouble; part crocodile to protect it’s community, part kangaroo so that it could look after its mob and part dingo, so that it could hear danger from a long way away. It also carried a shield to protect people from bad things….

Florence

Crocodiles look after their territory so imagined a powerful crocodile to keep everyone safe in Aurukun.

'HEAL OUR PAST, BUILD OUR FUTURE'

Designed by Azaria Woolla

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Amelia's Story ‘Working for kids at the Safe Kid’s Centre’ has been important to me. Helping them, caring for them so that their needs could be met. I still see the children that I used to work with around town. They call me Aunty.

And, sometimes, I tell them that I am related to them so that they should call me Granny, not just Aunty.

Edward (in the Wik Kath Min T-shirt), Mama Archer and other family members outside their home. (Edward is about to record his good story for a Wik Kath Min radio broadcast).

The saddest part for me is when kids are taken out of this community to live with another family.

I can remember two little boys coming back to Aurukun for a funeral. Their brother’s cousin asked them something in language and they just looked at him blankly because they didn’t understand. They’d forgotten their own language. But kids who stay in Aurukun keep their language strong.

I love children and now I have a grand-daughter who calls me mum.’

Amelia Woolla

Snake Nest

AND A

Snake was created by Lynetta Pyrop

‘She has colours all over her body. The snakes make everyone safe.’

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This screen-print design for Wik Kath Min was inspired by the numerous snake motifs in the artwork produced by the school children for The Aurukun Good Stories Project.

It was created by Kenneth Yunkaporta Wolmby, Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, in August 2018.

The Winged Yellow Snake would wrap itself around Aurukun people and protect them. She has a sound to warn people to tell people she is coming to help - she would sing a hymn. It would make you happy to know that the snake is there to protect children.

Shakaya Wolmby

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Joy in a Wik Kath Min T-shirt

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This creature’s head is a dingo.

It looks at people who are doing the right thing. It’s eyes can make them laugh.

Riquarn Chevathun

This creature has super strength and strong health. It can see the future and save people.

Xyvia

The creature has a snake tail It makes people happy.

Lexton Landis

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‘We can never stop because this is our life - keeping us alive. Here, older people - you know Grandfather - put a curse on me because I’m not showing the rest of the family. That’s what happens when you break the law. If we break the law, I not going through or going on and on. Is true story, you have to do it - carry it on, so the story will never die. Most important - keeping our life. They are our clan designs, not to give away, not to die away.’

Arthur Koo-ekka Pambegan JR (deceased) ‘I got to teach my grandchildren all the things that my grandfather taught me.’

Aurukun man Lotus Glen Correctional Facility

I love listening to my grandparents tell stories.

A lot of young kids don’t know the ‘Thap yongk’ Aurukun Law Poles depicting ceremonial paint of the five clans

stories (the special stories that belong to the

— Evonne Wolmby (Prep – Grade 2) —

story-places (Aw) and our country). Sometimes I worry that I will forget the stories, because we don’t really learn them at school. We only learn these stories from our grandparents.’

Imani Tamwoy (17)

‘Well, I’m happy for my son to know who he is, to grow up to be strong. To have leadership skills because to be a leader you have to help people, to speak up for people.’

Godfrey Wigness and Solomon

This creature was created by

Kendricks Wolmby

‘It is a turtle with kangaroo ears and wings from the eagle. It hears things and can fly to see the bad things happening.

It helps by pointing out the bad things so that people know they are bad and know not to do it.’

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Long time ago, there was a little boy. He was about twelve. He was sniffing petrol. He was always on the run sniffing petrol. He was lost because of the petrol. Then, one day my Uncle asked him: “You wanna change? Or you wanna stay like that? You wanna come? I’ll take you out (to the bush) and then you can change your life. Or do whatever you wanna do.” So my uncle came along and he told him, “Come on boy. You wanna come with me? I’ll take you out, but just for one night only.” So my Uncle took him out hunting. And then, from that one night, he stayed out a whole week!

When they came back into town someone offered the boy petrol. But this boy said, ‘No! I’m going back bush. So they took him back out bush. He was happy. He went hunting, spearing fish and stingray. He enjoyed it out there. After a while, he just stopped all the sniffing. Today I see him. He’s strong. Healthy. He’s a big, healthy, strong boy now. When they went out bush, he had the spirit of the culture went into him. So culture kept him strong out there – just enjoying the hunting. And today, he still goes out bush. Yeah,

Walter Pamtoonda

he’s got a good life now!

‘I organize small family meetings at my place to sort out any conflicts that occur within our family.

We always try to explain kinship relationships to the younger people who don’t know, or don’t fully understand, their kinship connections and what that means for their place in the family and their kinship obligations.’

I used to smoke the bad

Herbert Yunkaporta

cigarettes but going to court and going to ATODS made me realise. I saw my son looking up at me (when he was a baby) and I thought to myself, I don’t want to be the man I am. My son has ADHD. He used to draw me with a beer can in my hand. But, when I started to change, he started to draw me holding hands with his mum. My son

This creature is called

By Tyrone Kiso

SCAPE

Scape lets people know when they are being bad.

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goes to school every day. He has ADHD but he is very smart.’

Aurukun man

I am Sonia’s ‘mookie’ - her big uncle. We always joke with each other. We tell each other stories - and rubbish talk each other - but only ever in a joking way. She comes to me to ask for advice because I am the big uncle and the younger uncle can’t tell the niece what to do.

I want to see kids doing the right thing around the community. In the old days (the mission days) they used to blow the whistle at 9pm and kids had to be in bed. Now parents are responsible for watching their kids and cleaning their clothes (and making sure that their kids are not out on the streets).

I would like to see Aurukun get back on the straight road.

I was a drinker but then, three years ago, I just stopped. Life is good now that I’m not drinking anymore. I’m back on the right road and talking with good people. I like to go and talk with different families and have a yarn.

I am from Tookul. The missionaries called that place ‘Love River’.

Henry Peinkinna Change your life for the better by role-modeling the peace-maker. Be a role-model for others and listen to both sides of the argument. Teach the young ones this. Teach them culture way.

Aurukun man from Men’s Group

‘Today, no-one is game to intervene when they see child doing the wrong thing because they worry it’ll cause a big fight between the families. But, when I was a young kid, I used to do silly things sometimes, and I was always pulled into line by the adults around me. Then one of those adults would go down and tell my mum what I did, and I’d get disciplined by her as well!’

Dion Koomeeta

Sometimes I tell the kids when they come back from camping or fishing that sharing is important. We keep telling the kids the rules so they have respect for the elders.

Sometimes the young people come up to the art shed and we tell them stories about their totems. We tell them about their clans: Wanam, Winchinum, Sara, Puuch and Apalech. At the moment, we’re making more lore poles for the police station and all the clans are working together to do that. I like kids…

Roderick Yunkaporta

‘This creature can ‘see kids out on the street at night-time.’

Greta Woolla

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Dorothy Pootchemunka's Good Story During the 1990’s there was a problem with young kids

sniffing petrol in Aurukun, so the community decided to take

action. The kids, who were sniffing petrol, were sent out to Wit

Thalk to camp for weeks, or even months at a time, with Dorothy Pootchemunka, Douglas Woolla and Ina Koongotema. This is Dorothy’s good story...

‘So I taught them how to hunt in the bush out there. And I took them out walking - all the way along the beach.

And every day I asked the boys to be honest - not going back into town. Go down to the landing, fill up the water bottles and then come straight back to the camp. These boys - they obeyed me.

We even had boys and girls staying out here together.

My working partners were Douglas Woolla and Ina Koongotema.

We were working together with those children to stop them from sniffing petrol. And now those children - they are adults and they have children of their own. And today, all these children say hello to me. Because I love children, eh?

I love every child in the community. And I was so proud when all those kids were calling me, ‘Mumma!’ One little girl, she said : ‘Mumma, working so hard for us! She give us 3 meals a day!’

‘When I first became a father, my father taught me about my son – how to look after him when he was a child, from the time when he was born. And also my Uncle taught me respect – respect for other people. So when I was working for young parents – that was about a decade ago – we used to take the young fellas out the bush. The program was called ‘Parenting Program’. So, while we were out there, some of the young fathers used to come and talk to me about traditional way. How to look after the babies, how to grow them up the right way. So I did. I told them many stories – like when I was growing up out in the bush. Most of the young men that we used to take out were the gunga smokers and the drinkers because we needed to teach these men how to look after their families – not to drink too much and not to leave their smokes lying around where

the kids could get hold of them… The changes I noticed were that the young men cut down (on drinking and smoking). I also said to them grog and yarndi is not our culture. Our culture is here, out in the bush.’

Perry Yunkaporta 24

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This creature can put people in its pouch and take them to safety.

Susie

This creature can go in the water.

It can run really fast and catch bad people and chase them to the fishing beach.

Tyrique

This creature has a crocodile tail so it can swim really fast and stop the fighting.

Aurukun Child � Grade 5

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MEDITATION IN AURUKUN Our people are more willing to come and seek mediation now. They’re doing it actively. They’re coming here and asking for mediation. Before it was just ‘bang bang’ - they were mediating with their fists. But now they come and ask for the mediation. And, if (a dispute) is settled, reconciled or whatever, and both parties are satisfied with the outcome, they will then go back and when something starts up out there, they will actually be the ones saying : ‘mediation worked for me, come on, come on, I will take you’.

It’s good that people are telling their other family members about mediation. It’s a better option than getting angry.

Keri Tamwoy

‘From our elders we learnt that there are traditional ways of dealing with conflict based on time, trust, support, neutral places, and knowing your family tree. An angry man is like a fire burning on one side of a river. But, if you both get wild, the fire jumps over the river and burns everything. It burns everything this side, and that side, of the river.’

Aurukun man - The Men’s Shed

"LET TWO PEOPLE SORT IT OUT PROPERLY - NOT A WHOLE MOB."

THE AURUKUN COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTRE

- WHERE MANY SUCCESSFUL MEDIATIONS TAKE PLACE 27

"KNOW WHO THE PEACEMAKERS IN THE COMMUNITY ARE AND GO TO THEM IF YOU NEED TO." — Terry Pootchemunka —

It takes a good man to walk away from troubles. If you have a problem with someone else, go talk with them, or go hunting with them. Do something else.

Aurukun man Lotus Glen Correctional Facility

‘Me and Harriet - we were both in the dormitory together during the mission days and we were good friends from that time. When we left the dormitory

SAVING PEOPLE SNAKE

- when it was closed - Harriet used to come over and stay. I used to stay with her too, and the other sisters.

Harriet and I never had a fight, or fought with the other sisters. We’ve been friends since dormitory days and we are still friends today. We both work for the justice group, helping our community.’

Maureen Karyuka

I ALWAYS TRY TO STOP FIGHTS FROM GETTING OUT OF HAND.

was created by Maud ‘It can save us when they are fighting. It will save all the people in Aurukun. The snake is saving the Kang Kang.’

— Angus Kerindun — We had an argument between our families and it made me sad. That night I was worrying - we are family.

Why are we arguing with each other?

This creature is called

CAT

By Darlene Rainbow Cat can fly around Aurukun and look for danger.

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Then, that night, my eldest sister came along and she said to me: ‘I’m feeling sad as well. We should love each other. Maybe, tomorrow, we should forget all about it’.

So that is what we did. The next day we forgot all about the argument and we were all friends again.

Sarah Wolmby

At the school we used to teach people their family tree. Everyone needs to know their family tree so they don’t fight.

Jasper Kowearpta

"MY DECEASED BROTHER WAS A GREAT PEACEMAKER AND NOW I TRY TO PREVENT MY NEPHEWS FROM FIGHTING." — Eldrick Wolmby —

My daughter got a bad message on her phone and she just blocked it and didn’t tell anyone. She only told me a year later. I was so proud of her! (for sorting it out, all by herself, so calmly and peacefully and bravely). She just said to me that this person, who sent her the bad text, has a fake profile and he is just a keyboard warrior — he is going to be the one feeling bad.

Aurukun mother

This creature is a

SNAKE

to stop the fights with his powerful tongue. When the snake bites, the people fall asleep and he takes them home and flies all over Aurukun.

Savanah

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"IF YOU FIGHT TOO MUCH, YOU HAVE NO FRIENDS."

‘There were some people in the community having a dispute with a young person and I was called on to help with mediation. Nothing was working, and then I remembered something that my elders had always told me I was little. And so I told my story to this young person. My story was about how, when I was a little girl, it was good manners to call out and let people know when you were crossing their land and also tell them what you were doing. When I told my story to this young person, he thought about it to himself for a moment, and then he apologised to the people he had wronged.’

— Aurukun man —

Roxanne Yunkaporta

The elders taught us to sit in a circle and discuss things calmly. That was the protocol. Discussing things calmly with elders present from both sides.

Aurukun man - Men’s Group

I think that we should talk to people about not getting involved in other people’s fights. This could become the new way of doing things in Aurukun.

Aurukun man

SNAKE

This creature is a with a

LION'S HEAD

because the snake can go anywhere.

The Lion’s head is scary.

Tarrira Wolmby

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‘I would like to see everyone working together to stop fighting in the community. When it’s peaceful, and there’s no sly grog, the community feels good.’

Stephanie Tamwoy

‘I had a lot of trouble with one of my sons who was fighting a lot. But now it is all good, no more fighting. As a mother, it makes me feel so

‘BUILDING BETTER FUTURES TOGETHER’

by Imani Tamwoy and Millie Dix

much better to know that my sons don’t fight anymore.’

Aurukun woman

When two people fight in town, it goes like a wild fire because different

RAINBOW SHIRT

Designed by Carla

groups all join in. A good day for me is when it’s quiet in town, because then you can sleep really well.

Marcella

THE PEACE-MAKER BABY One day, one year old Emily, from the Wikmunea family, saw her mother arguing with someone out on the street.

Emily raised her arm and called out to her mother. ‘Wanta!’ she cried. (Leave it!)

Emily’s mother heard her baby calling out to her and started coming back.

At the same time Sonia Shortjoe, who was standing nearby, ran over to help.

But baby Emily turned around and called out to Sonia.

‘Koyan Iiyan!’ Emily yelled. (Don’t worry! Turn back!)

Baby Emily had the whole situation under control.

We think that she will grow up to by a great leader and a great peace-maker, that one.

Baby Emily with her Grandmother

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'GO FISHING, NOT FIGHTING’'

Designed by Desmond Kawangka

JACKIE

from Koolkan Aurukun Childcare Centre, wearing her Wik Kath Min t-shirt

T-shirts designed for Wik Kath Min, with slogans created by Rowena Pamtoonda, Savannah Yarrak, Marrita Woolla, Virginia and Erin to support and encourage peace, friendship and forgiveness.

‘Turn the Music on and Dance.

Forget the Fight!’

It was New Years Day, and there were people on our street who were working themselves up for a big fight. I decided to put some music on my stereo instead. And then I invited everyone to come out and dance. And that is what everyone did. Everyone on our street danced, instead of fighting.

Rowena Pamtoonda 32

Designed by Althea Koomeeta 'AURUKUN OUR COMMUNITY WE GOT TO KEEP IT SAFE AND STRONG'

Designed by Scott Korkaktain

This creature is called The Healing Snake. It has venom to heal people. The colours remind people of their culture.

Tarpich Hudson

Herbert Yunkaporta, telling the Aurukun men in Lotus Glen Correctional Facility about Wik Kath Min and how you can learn from a wise story, and change, to become the man you truly want to be.

It’s up to us to walk away.

Forgive and forget. That’s it.

But the problem is that some people keep carrying fights on. And it’s hard for men, getting caught in the middle of fights.

But people can always choose how they act.

You can stay in. Or you can choose to move out.

Aurukun Men discussing fighting in Aurukun Lotus Glen Correctional Facility.

This snake can be invisible and she can make things pretty.

Dahlia Korkaktain

This creature has a mermaid tail. She makes people happy because she looks so beautiful. She sings beautifully too.

Keasha Kawangka 33

Sandra Bowenda telling

the Aurukun men at Lotus Glen Correctional Facility about Wik Kath Min.

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Working on

Community Engagement IDEAS for the

Wik Kath Min Project down at The Landing.

Front Row (L-R): Eloise Yunkaporta, Sonja Shortjoe, Janine Chevathun, Sandra Bowenda and Phyllis Yunkaporta.

Back Row (L-R): Michael Limerick, Louise Limerick and Anthony Newcastle.

The Wik Kath Min ‘Theatre Group’ working on Community.

Engagement ideas with Roxanne MacDonald.

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‘My mother taught me to weave. I always sat with my mother and sisters and watched how it was done. I am going to collect some pandanus from the trunk of the pandanus. Also, the cabbage leave from the trunk of

this tree for string bags, for dance, for corroboree. I would like to see my great grand-daughter see me how to do it, so she can do it for herself and pass on for future generations. I like to go to the Koolkan child care centre to be with my one year old great-grand-daughter.’

Lois Toikalkin

This creature roars at angry people to make the friends again.

Ashandra

My son and daughter are very important to me. I love spending time with my family. My Each of us come from

Aunty and I still go out to the lagoon to gather water

five different clans and spoke five

lilies. We have always been really close. We go out

different languages but we are together

fishing and collecting mud shell together. The frill neck

in men’s group - we all speak Wik

Lizard is my totem.

Mungkan.”

Terry Pootchemunka

Margaret Pootchemunka 37

We were sitting around the fire the other night talking about how the young ones have not learned about their country, so I decided to organise a trip and take my nephews and nieces out on country.

Herbert Yunkaporta

Turtle du Hamilton Woolla ‘He can play with (me) and (I) can share food with him and ride on his back to feel the water.

He can feel nice to touch. He can have other people to ride on his back - even my Mum!’

Doing things all together is important.

NAIDOC is something that helps to bring the whole community together. Dancing together and happy celebrations are important too.

Agnes Toikalkin 38

Children from Koolkan Aurukun State School watching a performance of

Alvin Wolmby

Sherry Wolmby

The Story Bird's TaLe

Junior Williams

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We go out crabbing every day. We go out in the morning. Maybe 6 o’clock.

And we come back at 3 or 4. I like having fun grabbing crabs in the creek and looking for mud-shell. Cone shell is good for blood pressure. We took our friends - some people from Germany - out there.

Rosie Wolmby ‘Our dug-out canoe is a good story. We had dozens of kids and elders helping out. Some of the local artists felled the tree under the guidance Reg Pinekinna and Keith Wikmunea and Alair Amperbegan. These elders have been guiding the process. Lex Namponan helped out too.

The flexi-kids (at the school) de-barked the tree and then used tools to help dig out the canoe. This kind of process is good for language development, relationship building and community.

Christopher ‘This is my father, Christopher. He is special to me because we go fishing together.’

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ByAlton

We (Noel and the flexi-kids) also helped out with the lore pole project inside the Koolkan Arukun State School. Those kinds of symbols (the lore poles) can express a lot more about the culture up here than our clumbsy attempts to express these things using English.

We do a bit of traditional dancing and we got over to the festival in Laura last year. Our focus is really on practical activities that support community development and which build solidarity within the community.’

Noel Waterman

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This creature will scare everybody to make them do the right thing.

Wayden

This creature has shark fins and a sharks body. Men have to feed the creature so they are always busy and they always have something to do.

Jimmy

The creatures tail is a fox tail with lots of spikes to catch people and take them to school.

Robbie

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‘Learning both ways is important to our kids as they’re growing up. It’s important for them to learn both languages: Wik languages and English. They need to know our culture. We must take them out fishing and camping and show them the sacred places.

With that, they need to respect both ways. They need to learn about their traditional culture. And they also need to go to school and get a Western education.

My Grandson, Waynead Wolmby, is graduating from Marist Brother’s College in Brisbane this year. Then he is going to come back to Aurukun and stay for the holidays. After that, he will go back to Brisbane and keep studying at University.’

Vicki Yunkaporta

'i useD to work on the houses as a contractor until i had a heart attack. i tell kids to go to school and you will get a good job - then you won't be asking your mum for money all the time!'.

— Henry Peinkinna —

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We need our children to grow up with positive influences, adapting to life in both worlds. Then, when they grow up, they will have a better understanding of how to behave appropriately and they will have a broader perspective on life.

I feel our youngsters and adults are missing out on books and reading. If we start encouraging our children to read, reading will open up their imaginations and open up new worlds to them in understanding. There is power in reading.

Reading makes you healthy in mind and spirit. I want all my children to read well - ( in English and in Wik ) - as English is our second language.

Agnes Toikalkin

We are bringing Wik Mungkan back into the language program at school this year.

This will result in a stronger connection to country and is a positive thing for our community.

Baressa Frazer

Deputy Principal

Koolkan Aurukun State School, speaking in 2018

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‘All of our kids need their best opportunity to perform and be successful at school. We’re not just teaching the children, we’re giving them the grounding for the rest of their life. But also, as indigenous people, we’re natural storytellers and we’ve been teaching for many generations so I think it comes quite easily. As an Aboriginal woman, I draw on this strength…. That’s our job. All day, every day, we’re talking to our kids. We’re teaching them the history of our language and how our world operates. And that’s what our people always did. So following my mum’s footsteps as a bilingual teacher, I’ve been passionate about language…’

Baressa Frazer

(Speaking on U-tube about teaching in 2016)

Paper moons illustrating

'The Moon Story' in Ms Alinta’s classroom

‘Culture is the most important thing to me.

‘The Moon Story’ is a traditional story that I have from my mother’s side. I often go outside and look up at the moon when it is full - to see the moon man and the two young girls that he took as his wives. I tell this story to my children. This is important.’

Jennifer

‘My birthplace is Bamaga at the top of The Cape.

We came here a long time ago, maybe in 1972, when this was just a small community. We stayed in Weipa first, then flew on a little charter plane to Aurukun. I have two boys and one girl.

One grandson from my eldest son and two girls from my youngest son. From my daughter, seven grandchildren. Important to women in Aurukun are the children and the grandchildren. And it’s important, to us, that the children have language. They have to know their culture language. It’s very important.’

Vera Landis

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Maree Koo'oila's Story Art is important for me. My painting. Some people buy my paintings. Or even my feather flowers too. My grandmother, Akay Koo’oila, used to do her painting behind the old hospital. She brought all the other elders to paint with her there.

When I was a child, I used to go there with my grandmother and do painting too. I was bored at home. I always went with her and watched her do her painting. She was 92 when she passed away.

I have three girls and one boy. My second eldest lives in Cairns. She is 21. My eldest daughter is 22. My little boy is 10 and my youngest daughter is five years old.

When I paint, I do patterns like my grandmother used to do. Her paintings went to Cairns, Brisbane and Melbourne. She used to take her paintings on the Sky Trans to all the big cities. She was a famous painter.

She taught me painting.

After my Grandmother passed away, they named this art centre for her and called it the Akay Koo’oila Women’s Art Centre. I love it here. I always think about my grandmother and the women here make me happy.

Maree Koo’oila 46

‘Keep our culture strong. It’s never too late for teaching about culture and learning in language.

Take kids on excursions to the bush. Sit under a shady tree and learn bush skills.

Clive used to teach the kids how to make spears.’

Aurukun man Lotus Glen Correctional Facility

A scene from

'THE MOON STORY' Created by Ariel, Roland, Miriam, Sharna and Hazelyn Koolkan Aurukun State School Students.

‘I want my children to be happy.

I can’t think of what they can do because they are so little now.

I just want them to live a happy life. I will have to try to show them - talk to them how to have a happy life, I think.’

Coralie Wikmunea

I love hearing family stories.

— Jayvis (Prep ‐ Grade 2) —

Georgina Keppel Loves to sit around the campfire telling stories to the kids.

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Waynead Wolmby designed the striking logo for Wik Kath Min.

This design represents people and, specifically , the five clans - Wanam, Apalech, Winchanam, Puuch and Chara - coming together in Aurukun, the place where the three rivers meet, to share their good stories and create a positive future for everyone. Waynead is a year 12 student at Marist Brothers (graduating in 2018). He was commissioned to design the logo for Wik Kath Min, while on work experience at Gilimbaa.

Waynead's Story I went to Aurukun State School. Back in my day it was Prep to Grade 7.

Going to boarding school was a big challenge because I had to leave my family behind - my brothers, my sisters and my pets. When you go away to boarding school you have to balance living in the white fella world with living in Aurukun.

I started boarding school in grade eight at Marist College in Ashgrove. The first week I was very nervous. I didn’t know anyone but my family supported me. My parents and my Aunties all encouraged me to stay in school. My dad went to boarding school too, so he understood what I was going through.

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At boarding school you get kids coming from everywhere - country kids coming in from out West and kids from the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea too. Once I bonded with the other kids and built some strong friendships, things started to get easier for me. Besides, at school there were lots of things to do to keep me occupied, like playing footy and hanging out with my new mates.

went to see one of the teachers at my school, Peter Gaiter, who is Head of

I went to visit Galimba in Grade 10. They hosted ‘Design Tracks’ a three day program. I enjoyed my experience at Gallimba so much that, afterwards, I

I think that kids in Aurukun should take every opportunity to get a

Careers, and I told him that I wanted to do work experience with Galimbaa.

I love what I do there - designing, drawing and sketching. I want to do graphic design on computers. At Galimba they taught me how to use all the software. Everyone is really friendly and I fit in perfectly. good education.

If you have a good education, you have a bright future ahead.

— Waynead Wolmby —

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I would like to go into the school regularly to do some art with the children. It is important to do art work like this - from culture - with the children and then share it with the community, because people need to know what the children want for their future – to be happy and safe. It’s good to have hope. If you have hope you can go into your community… These children are giving us a little bit of a gift, I think.

Jonah Yunkaporta

The improved school attendance is a positive story for Aurukun. 67% of kids are going to school now. Last year, in term 4, there were only thirty kids at assembly, but now there are 80 kids.

Baressa Frazer

Koolkan Aurukun Deputy

Principal speaking in May 2018

Mrs Jensen ‘This is Mrs Jensen. She is my teacher.

She teaches me maths.’

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ByMarlene

Children are our future.

It's like watering a plant - you have to nurture those seeds.

— Leona Yunkaporta — Education is so important for our children.

I want my baby son to be able to have a good education like I had.

I want him to go to a good school. There is so much opportunity if you have a good education.

I went to Clayfield College in Brisbane and I loved everything about it.

It made me have a new perspective on things. I wanted to help my people.

Before I had my two children, Zemirah and Zacchaeus, I worked as an Indigenous Engagement Officer with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

In my job, I talked to the service providers and I talked to the community, explaining to them what the government was doing for our people.

After my children came along, I took time off to raise them, because that’s important too.

You can’t miss their milestones.

Back in my day, after the mission days but before Take-away Time, (the canteen), the elders fought for our rights, for money, for beer, for land, so we could live in our world and be ourselves. We thought that was what we wanted. But it meant that our children could never have more than us, only the same or less. The elders didn’t understand that we had to take a step out of our world, in order to give our kids a chance of a better life.

Jonathan Korkaktain, 2008

PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE US

Granny Yunkaporta ‘This is Granny Yunkaporta. She is special because she reads stories to me.’

By Susie

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Kids dancing with Eddie at a House Opening.

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The head of this creature is a fresh water crocodile with eyes to see underwater. It can catch plenty of fish for everyone.

Mark Gothachalkenin

The creature has a powerful strong body. It has shields to protect people.

It can fly in the sky and see a lot of other creatures that might hurt people.

Jimmy Edwards

This creature has a rainbow tail.

The creature makes people feel polite and happy.

Keziah

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JONAH'S LONG WALK

Grandad took Gavin and I into the scrub with Grandma.

‘This is very important,’ he said. ‘You will both grow up and you need to know When I was a very little boy - about eight years old - we were that, in this scrub, there is a big waterhole. It is a secret waterhole for all the living out there in one of the outstations of Kendall River because my people on the far side of Kendall River and it is for you, and all the little second Grandfather, kids growing up after you. In life, as you grow up, knowing this is far more important than anything else. ’ Rodney Karyuka, he lived out there in the bush with Grandma. One day we all went out fishing - Grandpa, Grandma, Mum, Dad, my little sister and another family member too - my cousin Gavin Korkatain. Now Gavin and I were a bit jealous of each other when we were little because we both wanted my Dad to do special things for us. We both wanted my dad to make us little spears and boomerangs. And we both wanted my dad to carry us on his shoulders.

While we were getting ready to go out fishing that day, we collected everything that we needed. Grandpa got a hunting spear, a woomera, a fire stick and a Bailer shell. Grandma got her dilly bag to collect some yams. Then, as we were walking down to the beach with our three dogs, I asked my dad if he would carry me on his shoulders. I was already feeling tired, you see, because I was so little and so short.

‘Dad! Dad!’ I cried. ‘Could you carry me on your shoulders?’

But Gavin got jealous. ‘No, Jonah!’ he said. ‘I already asked your Dad before you. He’s going to carry me!’

Dad picked Gavin up. He carried Gavin on his shoulders and Gavin looked down at me and laughed. ‘Ha! Ha!’ he cried! ‘Look at that little boy walking!’

Anan thath’a puk wuut many.an ily-ily.an!

We were still walking down to the beach, going through this very big scrub, when Grandad told us to stop. ‘Wait!’ he said. ‘There is something that I need to show these two boys.’

Grandad called out to the ancestors then. ‘Do not harm us!’ he cried.

‘These two boys are the next people who will look after this place and live here!’ Grandad knelt down on the ground and used the Bailer shell to dig the well out. The water began coming up through the ground and, when it was clean, he gave us some to drink.

After that, we began walking again. When we finally got to the beach Mum and Dad and my little sister and our three dogs were already there. Grandfather was still thinking but Gavin and I were very tired after our long walk. We sat down under the shade of a tree, drinking fresh water from the Bailer shell.

Grandad told us to get up. Then he walked Gavin and I over to another big tree on the beach and made a mark on the land. ‘From this area onwards we cannot pass as that is a sacred place,’ Grandad said. ‘No one enters that place. Not even the old people.’

Grandad and Gavin and I walked down to the beach where Dad and Mum and my little sister were.

Grandma started digging yams. She made a fire and put the yams in the hot coals.

Grandad speared a stingray. I was watching him and he was telling me how to hunt the stingray just like he did.

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I caught a little fish and we began cooking the fish on the fire that Grandma had made.

I was so hungry, I only wanted to turn my fish over once and then eat it. But Grandad scolded me and made me put the fish back. ’No!’ he said. ’This is not right! This is still raw!

Look, when you grow up, you not going to feed all our kids with raw fish!’

I was very upset. ‘Grandad,’ I cried, ’I am so hungry and so tired! Why are you showing me all this?’

‘I am doing this for you!’ Grandad said. ‘Because, when you grow up, you need to know where the fresh water is and how to hunt and how to live and survive out in the bush.’

The sun was going down.

We’d had a good day at the beach but, on the way back, one of our dogs, Bully, chased a big Goanna up a tree. My Dad didn’t want to get the goanna down, but our Grandad , he wanted to show us kids how to catch it. So Grandad pulled the Goanna down by the tail. Thwack! And then, can you guess what happened? That big goanna, he turned right around and started chasing Grandad!

We all scarpered!

But Bully, and the other two dogs, they caught that big goanna and then Grandad killed it.

We all headed for home after that, with the goanna, the stingray, the fish and the yams that Grandma had cooked on the beach.

I was so tired by now that I could hardly walk.

My Dad picked me up and carried me on his shoulders.

This time, my cousin Gavin had to walk. ‘Ha, ha!’ I cried. It’s your turn to walk now!’ Nint ngul tha. ang ily.ana!

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We had a good feed that night — goanna, fish, stingray and yam. Our bellies were really full.

And then Grandad told us a story about his country.

And you know what? He turned out to be very good, this Gavin. Even though we were jealous of each other when we were little, he was always there for me, like a brother, as I was growing up. And that’s when I knew that my dad had chosen a very special person to be part of our family.

Anman Kan

Every Christmas, I put lights up ALL around my house for everyone to see.

Kang Kang Good Eyes was created by Roland Mapoon ‘My creature could see all the fish to feed all the people.

He is very friendly and helps to feed his babies.’

— Aurukun woman —

A good day in Aurukun for Rachael is a day spent fishing, down at the landing,

Kangaroo was created by Travahn

with her kids.

‘It has a snake tongue and big eyes.

The eyes can see if someone needs helping.’

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This creature can cook food for the people. It can hunt at night to feed everybody. It has a good sense of smell to look for the food.

Olivia Pootchemunka

The fish tail on this creature stops the fights. The patterns on the tail make people happy.

Henry

mother

AND

baby daughter turtle

was created by Shakira Namponam ‘She can share food and help people hunt for the meat.

She will help everybody to have playdoh.’ 58

‘In the old days our parents used to go out to that place near the big tree and they learned from the older people. Young people were trained not to eat all the food but leave it, instead, for the kids. They had to save food for the next day and the day after that. They went hunting, but only smaller things.

At the end they were rewarded by the elders with a boomerang and a spear.

This is how they learned to share. The young people learned how to be hungry, and how to get water from the Ti Tree.

They were tested, by going without food, so that they would provide it to the children. They used to take them out when they were 16, 17 or 18.’

Dorothy Pootchemunka's family

Jonah Yunkaporta

camping out & cooking mudshell on Wallaby Island.

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SNAKE was created by Shanika ‘This snake bites people on the grass.

It bites people to keep them happy.’

Seeing the pictures (done by Aurukun

RAINBOW SNAKE was created by Irene

school children) will help everyone see that the kids want good stories and maybe we can help them get that: good stories.

Daryl Yunkaporta

‘It can go really fast and pick people up and take them away to another place where they are happy and comfortable.’

Turtle

By Rayziah Yarrak ‘It has sixty babies to live in the water.

It swims and makes people feel happy.’

Turtle

By Roxanne ‘It is a turtle that can turn into a snake if it has to escape. It has bells that it rings if someone needs help.’

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This creature has a sharp beak to fish. He is a good fisherman and he shares his fish with everyone in Aurukun. His brown colour helps him to be camouflaged.

Braydon

This creature could shape shift into a human, a dog and anything it is faced with to protect.

Johoiakim

This creature is the protector of the community. It has the colours of the Aboriginal flag.

Black for the people, yellow for the sun, red for the earth.

Trent 61

Sandra Bowenda's Story

fish. Then make a fire. Sit down. Relax. Then get ready to come back home.

Aunty Rebecca, Uncle Silas and my parents, we used to all stay at Waathanin. When we felt like it, we could camp down at the beach, or sometimes at the big lake. We My grandmother was Nalut Amberbegan. used to get swamp turtle, barramundi, flying birds, My father’s dad - my grandfather - he was from Doomadgee. His bullock, even turtle eggs. Then we used to move traditional land was Nujaburra land. My dad, and his sister, they camp. Our Aunty Rebecca used to tell us a bedwere sent up here in a small boat during the State time. They were time story about the moon. We stayed out 5 and 6 years old. They went to school here during the mission days. there - all together. We had a good time. Me When my father left school, he married my mum, Betty Kelinda. This was and all of those sisters. Sandra Bowenda, in 1959. Dad and mum had my older brother, Trevor first. He was born in Esther Wolmby, Evonne Wolmby, Zoe 1960. I was born in 1961. We stayed here and went to school here. I was 13 Wolmby, Sarah Wolmby and Selena. We when I left school. would usually sit together after work and relax together and tell stories. We Vera Koomeeta and I, we worked for the community, during the mission always tell our old stories. And, in the days, as police women. It was hard work - just walking around, looking for the afternoon, Aunty Rebecca would spread out a big tarp and we gathered kids. The kids all had to be in bed by 7 or 8 o’clock at night. We used to walk there - all the sisters and even the son. around, in the dark, trying to find them. We had no electricity. We had to buy lanterns from the shop - big kerosene lights.

Only me, out of all the sisters, had a son. The youngest sister, of Zoe and My family went to Waathanin in 1975. Then we all stayed there. My father was adopted by a Wik Alkan man. (He was my mum’s older Uncle, my Grandma’s brother.) My father was responsible for that place. So in the 1970’s, we all went out and stayed on the outstation. At Waathanin, we built a tent and raked up all the leaves. During the 1980s we used to have a teacher coming out there to do correspondence lessons with the kids. We stayed at Wathanin because, in the early days, there were too many problems in town.

In 1976, I had my son, Richard.

The Bowenda family, and the Wolmby family. We stayed together from the beginning - since before we went out to Waathanin, from the 1960’s. Our parents, after school, we used to sit together and the older people used to tell us stories. We stuck together. Our father used to have a lantern. And we made a fire to sit together around, telling stories. The Wolmbys and the Bowendas. We’re sharing until this day.

I can still remember Harriet’s parents and Grandmother.

Harriet’s grandmother used to take us up the river walking with her carrying luggage. It was a long way. But we were happy. We used to catch 62

Sarah, was Daisy. Daisy was like another mother for my son, Richard. If we had a big dish full of geese eggs, or a dish full of wallaby stew, Daisy would want to feed Richard all by herself. She was a natural mother. Until this day, my son thinks about his little mother, Daisy.

My partner, Roy Yunkaporta, and I. We used to have a good life in the 70’s and 80’s. Then there were a couple of boys getting involved in trouble in the community. We wanted the boys to go out - to Waathanin, not Agan.

In town, we stayed together, all in a row. There was the Bowenda house, the Namponam house and the Wolmby house. The Pootchemunka’s (Nigel and Eva) lived at the back. Our elderly people were looking bright back them because we had sugar bag and other traditional foods. The community was peaceful then and everyone used to go out fishing together.

My grandfather, from Doomagee, had five wives, so we had a big family back in Doomagee - the Bowenda-King family.

These days I am working at the school as a teacher-aide. Also the justice group still needs me to help out for mediation. I like living in Aurukun because I’m born and bred here. I know the people here. The connections in Aurukun, through my grandmother, keep me here.

Anman kan

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This creature has a dingo head. He has red and blue eyes.

The eyes have special powers. They give people happy thoughts.

Barney

The eggs inside the body of this creature are people being protected. The creature’s thick skin protects the people inside. The two shields keep the bad words and the bad things out - the bad things that people do can’t get through.

The blue is for the shield. The shield is covered in clan designs and Aboriginal designs.

Jimmy

The swirls inside this creature’s tail represent people’s feelings and emotions being safe. The red spots are the people and this creature carries the Aboriginal flag. It makes people feel relaxed.

Kai 64

‘Is there really a ‘top end’ and ‘bottom end’ divide in Aurukun? ‘That was before. I don’t talk that way. We ‘I would like to see people saying

are all together. My clan was top end of Knox River and we used to trade with the coastal people. My old

‘hello’ and ‘g’day’ to each other with a big smile,

people used to get together in the evenings and yarn about the old days.’

instead of hating one another, so that all the heavy burdens

Jasper Kowearpta JR

could be lifted. Be a friend to each other and be done with all that business. Forgiveness is important.’

Reg Peinkinna I like peace in town. I always tell my family: ‘Just walk away and forget about it. That’s what I always tell them.’

When I went to Coen, everyone was saying ‘hello’ and ‘good morning’ and ‘good evening’ at the shop. It made me feel good.

In Aurukun that doesn’t happen so much and I would like more people to do that here.

I like to go out for a walk and talk to everyone I see. Mostly I like walking to the dump and the bauxite pit. I often see kangaroos crossing the road. People should get out more and talk to people, not be fighting.

Wilfred Ngakyunkwokka

We pray for forgiveness in an argument. My dad taught me that.

Zoe Wolmby ‐ Apalech

In the old days, if another group was moving through my family’s country, my family would feed them and give them water and set aside a place for them to camp.

Vera Koometa

DINGLO was created by Althea Koomeeta (The turtle with wings is Dingo’s friend) ‘It would fly to every house to keep people safe, kind and helpful.

She ‘would fly to every house and tell them about family and being together. ‘ 65

‘My family were the last ones to come into town. We came in 1984.

Whenever I’m driving around Aurukun in my car I like to

Allison Woolla was chairperson then and she helped our family to get a house.

stop and talk to everyone I see and sometimes my stepgranddaughter complains about me stopping all the time. ‘Do

Before that we lived in a bark house outside of town.

‘My dad never fought. He was a good gentleman. He used to share. He used to teach all the kids to hunt and dance. He taught us the right way - no teasing or giving cheek to older people. No movie for you, if you give someone cheek! You have to say sorry.’

Kythe Wikmunea

we have to?!’ she says. But I always tells her that stopping to talk with people is important: ‘You have to talk to everyone and communicate with everyone and create good feelings,’ I say. I want to feel connected to everyone.

Joylene

‘This is my good story. After the Wik Kath Min theatre workshop (with Roxanne and Anthony) me and a few others from Men’s Group, decided that we were going to go around the community and be friendly. We said ‘hello’ and ‘good

SEA TURTLE

By Ariel Chevathen ‘She swims long distance to save people in the water. She stops people from drowning’.

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morning’ to everyone we met. And then I went and spoke to a man I’d had a problem with for a long time. And we said sorry to each other. And we’re real good together now!’

Glenford Ngallametta – Men’s Group

‘For me a good day is just walking around and talking to people. I often talk to Roxanne Yunkaporta. She was my schoolmate. But I don’t like aggressive people. I just walk away.

My partner always respects me. He is not a jealous man.

One day, my partner and I, walked down to Oban to go fishing. We caught some catfish and cooked it in the coals. That was a good day. We had no water but the Lady with the blue jeep was there with her grandson and she gave us some water.’.

Dinah Walmbeng

It’s about how we approach each other. My people are Kugu and I want other people living in this community to respect my culture and treat me respectfully. If I see someone stranded in the bush, I give him a feed, I give him shelter, I give him water. I point him in the right direction.

Waal Waal Kalkeeyorta

‘Traditionally old people used to call out to say ‘hello’ when they were walking past someone’s property. They would sing out – ‘ Nga Mo!’ Doing this shows respect for someone’s property. It was a phrase that connected people in the community - and it also reminded them that you didn’t harbor any bad feelings against them.’

Aurukun Men from The Men’s Group

‘Being friendly is very important. I sometimes go down to the store and just sit next to someone who may have been having a hard time. Not saying anything. Just sitting. I find they often open up after a while.’

Herbert Yunkaporta

This is my friend, Ashandra.

She is special because she has a pet fish!

Olivia

‘I think that people should be more friendly around town and try to get along together. I don’t like all the fighting. I like to read that Aurukun Oral History book and think about all the old days. Back in the mission days, I lived in the dormitory.

On Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, the parents would come into the mission to see their kids. ‘White fruit’ – that’s my totem. If you’re going to be making t-shirts (for the public awareness campaign) I would like a big Kang Kang – a seaeagle- on mine. Soon I will travel back to my birth home. I’ll go by boat. What makes me most happy is when people come over and ask me about things. I like telling people stories about the old days.’

Ned Karyuka, born 1943, Puch, Kendall River.

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Bird was created by Meshach Friday ‘He has eyes that see people and keep them safe.’

'EAGLE WITH SHIELD'

By Zayden Yunkaporta

DOG was created by Kaychell Blowhard ‘It barks to warn people and runs very fast.

She helps Aurukun by licking people to make them happy.’

In the old days, during festival times, the men would sing out to each other in a mocking, but joking way, making everyone around them laugh. It brought people together and never caused fights because there was trust between the participants. Memories of this, and other cultural practices are still strong among people of our generation.

Phyllis Yunkaporta & Harriet Pootchemunka

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Farlen Yunkaporta created an invisible creature called

SNEAKY

‘Sneaky can go everywhere and people don’t see it, but it sees them.

People know that this creature is watching them.

It stops people from stealing.’

‘I am a friendly person because I don’t get involved in fights.

We just ignore it and tell our grandchildren not to walk out and see the violence.

SOMETIMES WE GET STRESSED. In this painting all five clans are represented, and I would say:

BE FRIENDS. Talk to each other and be like one big family.’

Sheryl Pamulkan

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Last week, one of the guys was trying to have a good sleep, and his mother woke him up and he got wild. Later, I found him and I sat down with him and said to apologise and say I love you to your mum - because mum comes first. And he had a smile on his face and went in there and apologised to his mum.

Sonia Shortjoe Sonia and her mum, Dorothy Pootchemumka

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My wife was from Aurukun, but she is no longer with us. My two children were born here. They are Aurukun children and they belong to this place through their mother. I, myself, am from T.I, but I have been here for over twenty-five years. Every time I go back to my proper home, my ancestor home, people say: ‘No uncle, you must come back!’

So, I come back. It’s good because my family from the Torres Strait sometimes come here to visit me.

Ralph Yousia ‘My thirteen year old daughter goes to boarding school.

I will have to talk to my children about what they want to be after school. I want these little ones and my daughter to go to boarding school and see what things are like away from Aurukun, but to return here and find good work.’

'THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO YOUR ADVENTURE OUTSIDE AURUKUN'

Designed by Hayley Wolmby

Nicole Bowenda I would like my son, Simeon, to go to Running in the Marathon with Deadly Runners is one of my good stories. I also liked going on the horse riding camp for school at Aberergan. I would like to go on more trips outside Aurukun.

Barney

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boarding school but come home, to Aurukun, on the holidays. A good day for me is just to go out and have a day out down at the landing. I throw lines and catches brim and mud crab. Often, I go fishing together with my son. Whenever I am fishing at the landing, I feel like my mind is clearer.

Rebecca Wolmby

A STORY ABOUT NOT FORGETTING PEOPLE

Phil Venables and his ‘little Aunty'.

Back in the 1980’s I worked as a probation officer for young people who got into trouble with the law. That is how I got to come to Aurukun and to know people. I liked my job and I liked all the young people who I worked with.

One time in about 1984 or 1985 I had to pick up a young Aurukun man in Cairns and take him to a cattle station. He was about 15 years old and had just released from the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre. I could only take him on a Saturday. My wife wanted me to look after our two children Claire and Joey. So I took them with us in the car for the day. I forget if I got permission or not for them to be with someone who just got out of Cleveland. But they came anyway.

On the way we stopped for lunch and a swim at a nice river and kept going. Everyone enjoyed the day. The kids loved hopping on his shoulders and jumping in the water.

That was way back then. I don’t think children travel anymore with young fellas coming out of detention.

Now thirty years later I came back to Aurukun and thought everyone had forgotten me.

One man in his 40’s came up to me in front of Tim’s shop and looked me in the eye: “You don’t know me!” he yelled. I looked at him and started to remember his face from all those years ago. Before I could say a word, he smiled and asked me “How is Claire and Joey?”

I nearly fell over with shock. How could he remember my children’s names from 30 years ago and remember our trip to the cattle station?

And that is what I like about Aurukun and about what Aurukun has taught me. That people are important, and you don’t forget them. I think everyone I know in Aurukun is like this.

I have since tried hard to remember people’s names and understand that you don’t forget them even if you are away from them a long time. When I go back home I now try harder not to forget my relatives back there as I often do. I have learnt the importance of family from Wik people as well as from my own parents.

I also know that young fellas who get into trouble aren’t as bad a s people might say and often grow up to be good blokes. I love seeing them all when I come back to Aurukun.

Phil Venables

‘My high point, this year, was the Youth Council Meeting. It was the first time that we all got together. We decided on a logo and our goals. We want to look at more activities to do for the adolescents and the young people. The splash park is great for the little kids, but it’s not for them. We want to organise some opportunities to travel, like ski trips and possibly some volunteering activities like going overseas to Cambodia. Our over-all goal is to empower young people in Aurukun.’

Millie Dix

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Sharon's Story ‘It’s good to go out and experience the world outside Aurukun. You can’t always just stay in this one place. You need to go out to make new friends.

I went to South Australia and lived in Amaata with my sister and my sister’s partner and my sister’s daughter. I worked in a Take-Away shop cooking hot chips. I was working with a lady I didn’t know and got work experience with her. She became a friend of mine.

While I was in South Australia, I went out to Cooper Peedy, camping with two teachers who were also friends of mine. We looked around for opals and I went to the under-ground church. We stayed in Cooper Peedy four or five nights, then we went off to King’s Canyon. I enjoyed myself there.

In 2007 I went to Holland with the Wik dancers. There were two ladies and Neville Pootchemunka was the chairman of the group. I enjoyed myself and, one day, I was waiting for my daughter and little grandson to come across from Berlin to see the performance.

But they missed out on seeing us dancing because they got stuck in a traffic jam!’

Sharon Ngallametta My good story is about the new school Principal, and his wife, Kay, who were here back in 1984 for two years, but weren’t married then. I was a teacher’s aide for twenty years and I saw five, or six, Principals come and go. I worked with a lot of children.

We used to take them camping and teach them language.

When the Principal and Kay came back in 2017 I met their adult children and took them all fishing! Kay remembered all her pupils here.

Jasper Kowearpta 74

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This creature is like a map for Aurukun people to find their way, if they’re lost and need guidance.

Nancy Ngakyunkwokka

This creature is a strong creature.

She has the colours of the Aboriginal flag. She is a proud Aboriginal.

Shiantha

This creature has a dreamtime tail…

One man went fishing and the rainbow snake caught him by the leg. And one man was cooking by the campfire and the snake caught him and bit him on the leg. And two sisters were swimming in the water and the snake was behind them. The snake swallowed one of the sisters. The sister’s spirit lives in the snake. Her spirit makes the snake beautiful.

Mareja Pootchemunka 76

‘When I’m at home, in Aurukun, I mostly just sit back with my friends and family. I like ‘just hanging out’. Most of my friends do activities at the PCYC, like basketball, but I enjoy reading and art. Right now, I’m going to the Technical College in Townsville. I’m studying childcare, but I don’t like it much. I’m going to switch to mechanics and study diesel fitting instead. Then, one day, I’ll come back and live and work in Aurukun.’

Cara Kalkeeyorta ‐ 16 years old

Any indigenous people wishing to become an educator, I say go for it because we need more people looking at embedding indigenous perspectives into our schools because Janice Yunkaporta with Judy Purcell, Director of The Koolkan Early Childhood Centre. Janice has been awarded a certificate for ‘safe food handling’.

"WE'RE STORYTELLERS." — Baressa Frazer —

we are the First Nations people and we have so much to share. We’re storytellers.

Baressa Frazer

‘What do I want for my children?

To know their culture. To know where they come from. To be strong. Go to

school. Working. Give me grandchildren.

Enjoy their work. One of them wants to

be a cowboy now but, when he grows up, he wants then to be a lawyer, and then stand up for everyone from Aurukun.’

'MOVE FORWARD 2 A BETTER FUTURE'

Designed by Waynead

Naomi Kepple from Koolkan Day Care Centre

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'WE NEED MORE JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY’

Designed by Richard Bowenda

I grew up on an outstation and then went to boarding school. John Koowarta, from Archer River, was my mother’s uncle.

He worked with Eddie Mabo and helped him to win the court case, in Brisbane, for land rights - Wik V’s Qld. I am looking for work at the moment. I like looking after old people and I would like to get a job at the Home and Community Care Respite Centre.

Marcella Pahimbaung

At the leadership program we came up with this mission statement: “We are proud Wik people, creating powerful, deadly, respectful, strong leaders for our 5 clans together in unity.

Vicky Yunkaporta

DORIS POONKAMELYA'S GOOD Story ‘I used to work in Aboriginal health. I worked with the babies and adults who were sick. I used to take them to the hospital and get them an appointment to see the doctor or a specialist. I enjoyed the clinical work and answering the phone and driving people in the car to see the doctor.

I grew up in the dormitory. The school was where the shop is now. It used to be a bark school. First we learnt to write on the ground. Then we used a slate with chalk.

After I started working at the hospital, I went to the TAFE college in Cairns and got my Diploma. I enjoyed meeting lots of friends in Cairns.

There were students from everywhere in the Cape. They were like my brothers and sisters.

Young people should know that there are plenty of jobs here in the community. There are jobs in the hospital - especially for young people who finish their schooling. Schooling is important because, one day, these children will be working everywhere in this community.

In 2008 I was appointed to the F.R.C. In October 2016 I was appointed as a council member. I’m a really busy lady!’

Doris Poonkamelya 78

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HARRIET's GARDEN ‘One day, when myself and my partner were together, my partner said to me: ‘Why are you looking so bored, Harriet?’

‘Aww,’ I said. ‘Every time, when I’m out walking in the community, I see all the pretty gardens and I’d like to grow some plants too!’

‘Well, okay,’ my partner said. ‘Seeing that we have lots of grandchildren, maybe we can plant some more plants, instead of just having the almond tree and the mango.’

‘But, Nanna, who’s going to grow the plants?’ my grandchildren wanted to know.

‘Just us,’ I told them.

So the grandchildren started collecting seeds and plants from all about. Then, one day, there were some plants for sale in the supermarket…

My grandchildren asked me for $100 to spend at the shop, but they wouldn’t tell me what it was for. It was a secret.

‘Don’t worry,’ they said. ‘We’ll bring you back the change.’

My grandchildren bought plants, for our garden, at the shop.

‘Wow!’ I said. ‘So this is what you wanted that money for!’ And then I told them, ‘Okay, when you plant a plant it’s like this. It’s like you, and the plants, are all growing up together at the same time.’

After this, I went away to Cairns for a while, and my nine year old niece texted me a photograph of my house all pretty with all the flowers.

Then, when I came back, the garden was already growing because the grandchildren had planted everything.

Now the garden is blooming with lovely, pretty plants. We even have a tall banana plant and I always tell my grandchildren that they can have the first banana.

I am reminded of all my grandchildren whenever I’m in the garden. And, whenever the grandchildren walk through the garden and see all the flowers they are smiling. And I say to them, ‘this is what I like to see. All my grandchildren with big smiles on their faces.’ Anman kan.

Harriet Pootchemunka 80

Collage Art

Created by Benji - Grade 3

Angus

Shuntay

Sila

Meshach JUST SOME OF THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS CREATED BY AURUKUN SCHOOL KIDS, AFTER HEARING HARRIET POOTCHEMUNKA’S STORY !

I went to the waterfall and I saw a lot of birds. They were beautiful and they had lots of songs.

Nataya

Tyler

Shiona 81

This creature is a snake.

She can be invisible and she can make things pretty.

Marlene

Dahlia Korkaktain

This creature has a mermaid tail. She makes people happy because she looks so beautiful. She sings beautifully too.

Tameisa

Keasha Kawangka

RAINBOW SNAKE was created by Danika Wolmby ‘It has beautiful colours to make people happy.

It looks beautiful and cheers people up.’ 82

PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE US

Margaret Chevathun

‘I love gardening and getting cuttings and seeds.

‘This is Margaret Chevathan.

I love the beauty of plants. I have planted all around my own house and I’d like to see people She is special because she looks after me. putting more plants in the park. The park is so dry at the I like to clean up the yard with her.’ moment! Maybe more seeds. Plant more grass. Water the

By Alvin grass… I see people mowing (the park), but I don’t see them planting. I think we should re-plant the park. I would help out (with the re-planting), if that’s what the community decided to do.’

Leanne PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE US

Jenny

‘This is my mum, Jenny. She always cleans up the house. I love her so much because she always cleans up everything!’

By Junior

‘I don’t like it when people litter.

It makes everything look messy, and that makes me feel sad.

If I could design a t-shirt that would say something to the community it would say: ‘Tidy Pi-p’an’.

Aurukun girl, 16 years old 83

BEST GARDEN IN AURUKUN Loretta wins the prize for the best garden in Aurukun!

Boy walking a Dog

By Eric - Grade 3

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This drawing of a house and a garden in Aurukun was done by Neville Pootchemunka, (now deceased). It was included in a book called ‘The Aboriginal Children’s History of Australia’ which was written and illustrated by Aboriginal children and published in 1977 by Rigby, with the assistance of the Aboriginal Arts Board of the Australia Council. Neville Pootchemunka grew up to become Mayor of the Aurukun Shire Council in the late 2000’s.

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Kang Kang Road, Aurukun 86

'BARRAMUNDI'

By Bruce Bell

Signed by members of the Wik Kath Min Community Action Group.

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Wik Kath Min

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doesn’t end here... the good stories continue with you.

THANK YOU We would like to thank the following people for sharing their good stories with us…

Doug AHLERS, Benjamin ACCOOM, Barbara BANDICOOTCHA, Bruce BELL, Carla BELL, David BELL, Nicholas BELL, Delwyn BLOWHARD, Hendrick BLOWHARD, Elvis BOWENDA, Billy BOWENDA,

Richard BOWENDA, Celestine BOWENDA, Sandra BOWENDA, Clarence CHEVATHUN, Gideon CHEVATHUN, Janine CHEVATHUN, Wayne CHRISTIE, Chris DAVEY, Jimila DIX, Mathew DOOMADGEE, Baressa FRAZER,

Walter HALL, Cara KALKEEYORTA, Waal waal KALKEEYORTA, Maureen KARYUKA, Ned KARYUKA,

Daniel KAWANGKA, Brian KAWANGKA, Colleen KAWANGKA, Desmond KAWANGKA, Jenny KAWANGKA,

Ella KEPPLE, Georgina KEPPEL, Naomi KEPPLE, Renardo KEPPEL, Eddie KEPPLE, Liam KERINDUN, Maryann KERINDUN,

Megan KERINDUN, Craig KOOMEETA, Dion KOOMEETA, Vera KOOMEETA, Vincent KOOMEETA, Margaret KOO’NUTTA, Douglas KOONGOTEMA, Luke KOONGOTEMA, Bill KOO’OILA, Maree KOO’OILA, Martha KOOWARTA,

Jonathan KORKAKTAIN, Scott KORKAKTAIN, Jasper KOWEARPTA, Patrick KOWEARPTA, Danny LANDIS,

Margaret LANDIS, Vera LANDIS, Vernon MARBENDINAR, Andrew MARPOONDIN, David MARPOONDIN,

Philip MARPOONDIN, Steven James MARPOONDIN, Kenny MIMI, Bevan NAMPONAN, Cliff NAMPONIN,

Garry NAMPONAM, Lex NAMPONAM, Rufus NAMPOONAM, Virginia NAMPOONAN, George NAWAKIE, Alan NEILAN,

THANK YOU We would like to thank the following young people for sharing their good stories and inspirational creations with us…

Alison, Althea Koomeeta, Altiyan, Alvin Wolmby, Anacleta, Anderson, Angus Kerindun, Anthony Yunkaporta, Ariel Chevathun, Mavis NGALLAMETTA, Sharon NGALLAMETTA, Derek NORMAN, Marcella PAHIMBAUNG, Alair PAMBEGAN, Ashandra, Azaleah Wolmby, Azariah Woolla, Barney, Benjamin, Bella, Alistair PAMTOONDA, Helen PAMTOONDA, Lewis PAMTOONDA, Rachael PAMTOONDA, Rowena PAMTOONDA, Bill, Braydon, Brenda Woolla, Brent, Carla, Chad, Clayton Landis, Walter PAMTOONDA, Reg PEINKINNA, Graham PEINKINNA, Riana PEEMUGGINA, Doris POONKAMELYA, Dahlia Korkatain, Dakota, Danika Wolmby, Darlene Rainbow, Gary POONKAMELYA, Laurelle POONKAMELYA, Alex POOTCHEMUNKA, Alywyn POOTCHEMUNKA Senior, ‘Tarpich’ Hudson, Declan, Eric, Evonne, Farlen Yunkaporta, Alywyn POOTCHEMUNKA Junior, Bernard POOTCHEMUNKA, Cheryl POOTCHEMUNKA, Damien POOTCHEMUNKA, Florence, Gerald, Greta Woolla, Hamilton Woolla, Harriet, David POOTCHEMUNKA, Devon POOTCHEMUNKA, Dorothy POOTCHEMUNKA, Gibson POOTCHEMUNKA, Hayley Wolmby, Hazelyn, Henry Hudson, Iesha, Ilana Pamtoonda, Harriet POOTCHEMUNKA, Margaret POOTCHEMUNKA, Marina POOTCHEMUNKA, Marion POOTCHEMUNKA, Imani Tamwoy, Irene, Jacqueline Kepple, Jaron Koonutta, Terrance POOTCHEMUNKA, Wendy POSSUM, Judy PURCELL, Shane SHORTJOE, Sonia SHORTJOE, Deloris TAISMAN, Jayanna, Jayvis, Jenaya, Jimmy, Jimmy Edwards, John, Johoiakim, Imani TAMWOY, Kemuel TAMWOY, Keri TAMWOY, Anita THOMPSON, Adelaide TOIKALKIN, Lois TOIKALKIN, Junior Williams Kai, Kaychell Blowhard, Keanu, Keasha Kawangka, Isaac WALMBENG, Bill WALMBENG, Dinah WALMBENG, Jean WALMBENG, Dereck WALPO, Noel WATERMAN, Kendricks Wolmby, Keziah, Kenlock Wikmunia, Lexton Landis, Makayla, David WATT, Edward WATT, Coralie WIKMUNEA, Horace WIKMUNEA, Samuel WIKMUNEA, Kythe WIKMUNEA, Marjella, Mark Gothachalkenin, Marlene, Maud, Maxwell Wikmunea, Lenton WIKMUNEA, Terrence WIKMUNEA, Anton WOLMBY, Billy WOLMBY, Brian WOLMBY, Coralie WOLMBY, Marquita Woolla, Meshach Friday, Miriam, Myrama, Nicholai Koomeeta, Eldrick WOLMBY, Hayley WOLMBY, Kenneth WOLMBY, Ralph WOLMBY, Reginald WOLMBY, Rosie WOLMBY, Olivia Pootchemunka, P, Quintina, Tybingoompa, Quinton, Raylene, Sarah WOLMBY, Sherlana WOLMBY, Shirley WOLMBY, Waynead WOLMBY, Aaron WOOLLA, Ada WOOLLA, Rayziah Yarrak, Ricco Hudson, Riquarn Chevathun, Riley Baker, Robbie, Amelia WOOLLA Azariah WOOLLA Christopher WOOLLA, Gavin WOOLLA, Marita WOOLLA, Roland Marpoon, Roxanne, Savanah, Shakaya Wolmby, Shakira Namponan, Wade WOOLLA, Wilton WOOLLA, Savannah YARRAK, Ralph YOUSIA, Daryl YUNKAPORTA, Shamela, Shanai Blowhard, Shanika, Sharlane Yunkaporta, Sharna, Sherry Eloise YUNKAPORTA, Geoffrey YUNKAPORTA, Herbert YUNKAPORTA, Jacob YUNKAPORTA, Wolmby, Shianti, Shirleen Bowenda, Shosha Pootchemunka, Shuntay, Sila, Susie, Jonah YUNKAPORTA, Leon YUNKAPORTA, Leona YUNKAPORTA, Marlene YUNKAPORTA, Tameiya, Tarrita, Tenaya, Tiana, Travahn, Trent, Tyrell Wolmby, Tyrique, Tyrone Kiso, U, Morton YUNKAPORTA, Perry YUNKAPORTA Phyllis YUNKAPORTA, Roderick YUNKAPORTA, Venisha Pootchemunka, Wayden, Waynead Wolmby, Xyvia, Yvonne Wolmby, Roxanne YUNKAPORTA, Roxy Zanika YUNKAPORTA, Susie YUNKAPORTA, Zayden Yunkaporta and Zooriaah Woolla.

Thomas YUNKAPORTA and Vicky YUNKAPORTA. Dominique NGAKYUNKWOKKA, Wilfred NGAKYUNKWOKKA, Clifford NGALLAMETTA, Katherine NGALLAMETTA,