Galiwinku Diary

Louise tasks me with checking out the local general store that is just past the gate of our compound.  This gate has already been unlocked for the day. Our own “donger” – our long rectangular house also has a locked gate – Louise who is not disposed to paranoia merely drapes the chain around it at night. This rather ugly infrastructure could appear to the worst of my  Queensland born and bred deep seated racist predjudices that yes Aboriginal people are a pack of thieves who can’t be trusted. More likely that if you are stuck with 3 broken down cars in the front yard and you don’t want to walk 5 or more kms to the town centre to get grandma’s medicine in the tropical heat and those white guys have fully serviced vehicles you might be tempted to have a borrow! Etc etc. You’ve committed a few crimes of poverty and hey Presto like Jeremiah on the plane – you’re in Dondale or it’s adult equivalent.