The First Boomerang

Paul Bryden

Description

Lindsay, an Aboriginal elder, and Rob, a young white traveller meet in the Outback and make discoveries that may re-write Australia's history. Based on facts this story takes the reader on a journey through inner, personal landscapes and traditional Aboriginal country.

Lindsay's challenge is to locate three sacred objects (tjurunga) that are needed to revive important ceremonies. They disappeared decades earlier and could be anywhere in the world. Through personal contacts, a website, and the help of Australia's Prime Minister he begins his journey. Why are the sacred objects so significant? Will he be able to bring them home?

Rob's challenge is to find the first boomerang that came in the Dreamtime. He is inspired by Aboriginal Legends, 'cosmic timing' and reliable intuition that enables him to interpret signs which guide his search. Will he make the unprecedented discovery? Does the ancient artefact hold messages for Humanity? Time to enter the world of the First Boomerang.

Informations

• Publié par: ETT Imprint
• Date de parution: 01 avril 2018
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781925706482
• Langue: English

Extrait

This edition published by ETT Imprint, Exile Bay 2021
First published by ETT Imprint in 2018. Reprinted 2018
This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Inquiries should be addressed to the publishers:
ETT IMPRINT PO Box R1906 Royal Exchange NSW 1225 Australia
Copyright © Paul Bryden 2018
ISBN 978-1-925706-48-2 (ebook) ISBN 978-1-925706-49-9 (paper)
Design by Hanna Gotlieb Cover photograph by Paul Bryden
AUTHOR’S NOTE
In 1976 I made and threw my first boomerangs and a ‘window’ into Australia’s Aboriginal culture opened. In that year I travelled to Alice Springs and met a local Aboriginal watercolour artist. Then in 1983 I visited Cairns to meet a Mornington Island artist known for bark paintings, and later flew to Broome and shared special days with two highly respected elders. Since then I’ve had the privilege of meeting custodians and boomerang craftsmen from various regions, some of whom I’m still in touch with. I gained valuable information from them about traditional subjects and enjoyed many good times, but The First Boomerang is a work of fiction, except for historical details, created from my thoughts, intuition and experiences.
Traditionally, Aboriginal peoples had no written languages, their cultures maintained by oral tradition. “Language” words therefore are usually interpretations made by linguists after interacting with native speakers. In the text I’ve written English names first, followed by language names. For example Ayers Rock (Uluru) , which is well known, and Anzac Hill (Atnelkentyarliweke) that’s hardly known at all. As well as difficult pronunciation, spellings change. For example Arunta, Aranda, Arrarnta and Arrernte have been, or still are, used to name Aboriginal clans in and around Alice Springs. For the story I prefer Aranda, as does the Elder, because it is easier to pronounce at first attempt than Arrernte, the most recent version. Unfortunately, my use of “language” words is not consistent because spellings vary, but I urge the reader’s indulgence! Also, because of respect for Aboriginal culture and the complexity of skin names and kinship systems, I gave the Elder a European name only.
Dreaming Track, a translation of “Tywerrenge impatye,” also has alternate spellings and describes pathways made by Ancestral Beings in Aboriginal country along which ceremonies are performed. Its widely used name is Songline, and the Elder and Rob Noble use it most often. The idea that Rob, a caucasian Australian, was Aboriginal in a passed life may surprise some readers. However, reincarnation was well known to many clans. I spoke with a traditional owner about this subject and he told me: “When a child was born they used to look for marks (birthmarks) which may suggest a spear wound from the last life.”
Synchronicity played its part while I was writing. One example occurred when Rob was in Alice Springs after beginning his quest and the Araluen Arts Centre was hosting The Yuendumu Doors exhibition. On one painted door he saw a Dreamtime story that featured “comeback” boomerangs. This surprising discovery added real intrigue because returning boomerangs were never used by Aboriginal clans in Central Australia!
In Chapter 3 Rob travels with Rock Art researchers to Ewaninga (Napwerte) Conservation Reserve and they take photos and record video of the rock engravings. Even though a fictional trip, it occurred several years before the site’s custodians stopped allowing filming or photography.
Finally, most of the action, apart from earlier historical events, is set in the year 2000. This means that some names and other references may have changed since then, however they do not detract from the plot, themes and characters of the story.
Paul Bryden , March 2018

I lovingly dedicate this book to my late parents Les and Daphne Bryden
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wrote this story on and off over many years, so it is next to impossible to thank by name everyone who contributed. This includes friends and professionals who read sections or the entire text, edited a page or a chapter, enhanced it by formatting, guided my searches in libraries, encouraged me by asking “how’s the book,” confirmed information, especially about Central Australia, made original suggestions, and offered to buy a copy well before its publication.
My warm-hearted thanks to each of you who helped in those and all other ways, and to the great people I met during my research trips, as well as the Elders in spirit.
Many thanks also to writers of the numerous books and periodicals – published over the last 200 years or so – which I browsed or read completely for background.
Books I’ve quoted from are Moon and Rainbow by Dick Roughsey (A.H. & A.W. Reed, 1971), Flinders Ranges Dreaming by Dorothy Tunbridge (Aboriginal Studies Press, 1988) and Lardil – Keepers of the Dreamtime by D. McKnight (Chronicle Books, 1995), their words much appreciated.
I’ve also quoted from the “Dreamtime” books by Charles P. Mountford & Ainslie Roberts, and from Dreamtime Heritage by Melva Jean Roberts (ETT Imprint 2021). Special thanks to Rhys Roberts, Ainslie Roberts’ son, who graciously gave his permission and made this possible.
And finally I wish to acknowledge the author who wrote: “If the letter ‘h’ is taken off the end of the word ‘earth’ and placed in front, the word ‘heart’ is formed.” You’ll see it on page 68, however, I cannot remember where or when I found it, so I offer my apologies, but please get in touch after reading this! I can be contacted at www.thefirstboomerang.com
CONTENTS

PART ONE
Return to Country

PART TWO
Dreamtime Quest
PART ONE Return to Country
1
Rob was soaking lazily in the spa bath after a busy day working in a native art gallery on East 57 th Street. Indulging like this was rare so he stretched out his long legs and relaxed completely. Suddenly a ringtone broke the silence, jolting him out of his watery bliss. Easing himself up he stepped out, dripping suds onto the marble tiles and picked up the phone.
“Hello?”
“G’day there. Is that you Rob? This is Hugo catching up from Sydney.”
“Yes, Hugo. What a surprise. Great to hear your voice.”
“I’m really pleased you’re there Rob, and great to hear yours too. I did get your last email, but apologies, it’s been a while.”
“Yeah, for sure. But I understand. We all get busy.”
Rob Noble had been overseas for three years including the last four months in New York. The big city was fascinating but overwhelming, a total contrast to the vast emptiness of Patagonia and rugged terrain of Tierra del Fuego where he had recently been hiking. Rob and Hugo Ableford met in Australia five years earlier while bushwalking in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. Although not best friends they had a good personal rapport and shared a profound interest in Australia’s Aboriginal culture which transcended their age difference. Rob was thirty one and Hugo was sixty three.
“I’ve finally got that big trip to tell you about,” Hugo continued. “I’m taking a small group up the Tanami Track and into the Kimberley, then across to the Victoria River District in the Territory. We’ll record Rock Art, meet traditional owners, and be out bush for about a month. Are you still interested?”
A surge of adrenaline instantly transported Rob to the Outback’s rich red soil, endless wide horizons, and the vivid orange sunsets he loved so much. The spirit of that country meant everything to him. Painted and engraved figures on remote sandstone overhangs also flashed into mind, and he saw himself in the picture, reconnecting with Aboriginal culture.
“Yes! fantastic! Count me in!” Rob exclaimed. He was not going to miss this opportunity. “Give me the time and place and I’ll be there.”
“That’s great Rob, I knew you’d jump at the chance. We’re leaving from Alice Springs in sixteen days – that’s June 27 th . I know it’s short notice, but I’ll email all details including where we’re staying in town. How’s that sound?”
“Perfect Hugo, absolutely perfect. Thanks a million. Seeya later. Bye.”
Rob was ecstatic. He felt like running around the apartment, but sat on the edge of the spa trying to gather his racing thoughts. He had been dreaming about this for a long, long time. Now the desire to be there felt urgent. His love for Australia and Aboriginal culture lay deep in his bones and a rare chance to see Rock Art ‘face to face’ ignited both heart and soul.
Rob was well aware that a trip like this was not for the faint-hearted and home comforts would be left behind. The expedition would go far beyond the remotest towns on the map, on rugged dirt tracks or no tracks at all. But that was mere detail. He loved the bush. He was used to roughing it like he had just done in southern Chile and Argentina. But it wasn’t really roughing it. He enjoyed sleeping under the stars, much more than sleeping for too long in a big city apartment.
The Australian adventurer often day-dreamed about the Outback, especially when late Winter winds chilled Manhattan to its architectural bones and the snow in street