JANE HARRISON is descended from the Muruwari people of NSW.

Her first

play, Stolen, had productions across Australia and toured internationally.

She was co-winner of the 2012 RAKA Kate Challis Award for Stolen.

Rainbow’s End has had numerous productions since its premiere in 2003

and won the 2012 Drovers Award for best touring production. Both Stolen

and Rainbow’s End have been placed on secondary school curricula. The

Visitors premiered at Sydney Festival in 2020. Her novel Becoming Kirrali

Lewis won the 2014 Black & Write! Prize, and was shortlisted for the

Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and the Victorian Premier’s Literary

Awards.

Jane believes that stories have the power to reframe our national identity.
 INTRODUCTION

Australia has a messed-up sense of history. As a country based on the legal

fiction of Terra Nullius, Australia has found it difficult to tell accurate

histories about its colonial past. Stories of massacres, dispossession,

attempts at cultural eradication and much more have either gone untold,

supressed or denied. Anthropologist William Stanner, in his 1968 Boyer

Lecture called ‘After the Dreaming’, talked of the Great Australian Silence,

and a vested interest in forgetting the past to avoid the truth of history.

Fifty years later, Rachel Perkins, in her Boyer Lecture entitled ‘The End of

Silence’, talked of the power of truth-telling to help blaze a path forward,

the role of a constitutionally recognised voice for First Nations Australians

and the freedoms that would come for all Australians when we embraced

the fullness of our whole history of occupation of this continent.

In 1995, newly elected South African President Nelson Mandela

established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a way of bringing

restorative justice to a country that had seen untold number of horrors in

the name of Apartheid. The history was complex and divisive with a great

deal of contentious and conflicting narratives. As part of the process of

truth-telling, the TRC helped shape a definition of truth that was inclusive

and empowering to allow all aggrieved parties to speak. The TRC adopted a

four-part recognition of Truth:

Personal Truth—the truth that an individual or group understood as

the truth;

Official Truth—the truth recognised and recorded in the public

records, media et cetera.;

Forensic Truth—the truth that could be proven through a scientific

evidence-based lens;

Healing or Community Truth—the truth that all could accept and

come together on.

It is interesting to reflect that in 1991, in response to a recommendation of interest that I observed the pile-on by a bevy of conservative commentators

the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, Australia and politicians. As Stan Grant wrote in August 2017:

established a Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation that would have a life

Who would have thought the mere suggestion that Captain Cook did
span of ten years. Its purpose was written into the legislation, reading:
not in fact discover Australia would be so controversial? It seems to

The object of the establishment of the Council is to promote a have taken some people by surprise, the idea that people were here

process of reconciliation between Aborigines and Torres Strait for more than 60,000 years before the Endeavour dropped anchor.

Islanders and the wider Australian community, based on an What were we doing all that time, just waiting for white people to
ii
appreciation by the Australian community as a whole of Aboriginal find us?

and Torres Strait Islander cultures and achievements and of the

He goes on to talk about history being a ‘hymn to whiteness’, a ‘damaging
unique position of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders as the
myth’, and the fact that history is a process of writing in and out of the
indigenous peoples of Australia, and by means that include the
stories we choose, that history is a choice that highlights and makes silent
fostering of an ongoing national commitment to co-operate to

i
the events and people who have left a mark on the past. Captain Cook is not
address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage.
just a person, Captain Cook is a narrative we have chosen to help write out

The telling of hard histories is implied in this statement but stops short of the millennia of Blak history and to reinforce the narratives of Terra

embracing a whole truth-telling process, instead focussing on Nullius, white superiority and the righteous colonial and modern

reconciliation first and foremost. Truth-telling has become the rallying cry occupation of the continent. So it is with January 26, 1788.

of the Australian modern era and like the definitions used in South Africa it Eighteen years after the Endeavour crew mapped the eastern coastline of

has become important to see truth as a function of perspective and often Australia and eventually raised a flag claiming it for the British Empire,

dominated by self-serving narratives restating colonial imperatives. the First Fleet arrived in Botany Bay on January 19 and 20, 1788 to find

In a year that could only be described as an absolute dumpster fire, 2020 that Cook’s records were not as truthful as they were led to believe, with

was to mark the 250th anniversary of the voyage of the Endeavour poor soil, a lack of fresh water and the harbour not deep enough to anchor
iii
captained by Lieutenant James Cook. Bushfires and Covid-19 meant the close to shore. And so the First Fleet under the command of Arthur Phillip

suspension of the planned re-enactments and other events but, before this moved to Port Jackson (later Sydney Cove) arriving on January 26, 1788.

welcome demise, the debate raged about the role of memory-making and The two events of the voyage of the Endeavour and the arrival of the

memorials. While the USA was dealing with its own Trump-inspired sense First Fleet get confused all the time. The claiming of the continent and the

of disconnection from truth and evidence, and race relations hit another raising of the British flag we have all come to associate with Sydney Cove

disastrous low point, the role of statues and memorials was raised in was first done on an island named Bedanug in the Torres Strait. Cook

Australia. What is the role of a statue to James Cook in the truth-telling of named it Possession Island, but this was done on August 22, 1770—over

Australia? In 2017, in response to the tearing down of statues and three months after the week spent in Kamay, which they named Botany

monuments marking USA Confederate leaders and racist events, Bay. Because very few people know the relevant dates concerning the

broadcaster and commentator Stan Grant dared to question the role of the voyage of the Endeavour (April 29, 1770—arrival at Kamay; June 10, 1770

narrative that Captain Cook ‘discovered’ Australia. It was with great —ran aground and was shipwrecked in Gooreng Gooreng country for six
weeks; August 22, 1770—landing at Bedanug), January 26 has often Jane Harrison is a playwright who has built her reputation on writing on

become the repository of the all the foundation narratives of our country. A to the public record our narrative from our perspective. From her works

survey from 2017 stated: Stolen and Rainbow’s End you see a strong combination of social justice,

role modelling, historical reframing and an antidote to the oppressive

One-in-five Australians claimed Australia Day marked Captain
anthropology of the white gaze. The Visitors takes as its starting point the
Cook’s discovery of Australia, while one-in-six said it was the
view from the shore as the First Fleet arrive through Sydney Heads and
anniversary of Australia’s Federation. A small proportion said the
asks the question: what did we think when these ships came eighteen years
iv
date commemorated an important battle in World War I.
after Cook fired the first shots at the Eora? Harrison follows in the

This highlights the intersection of the ‘discovery’, colonisation, country- footsteps of ’80s classics ‘Basically Black’ and BabaKiueria by shifting the

forming and ANZAC narratives as they get apportioned to a single day in framing of the conversation and recasting the dominant point of view to

our calendar and how little knowledge those surveyed had about January reflect our way of seeing the world. She does this not by alienating the

26. I argue there is vested interest in confusing and intertwining these audience but by drawing them in through familiar constructions of debate

narratives. The two events of the arrivals of the Endeavour and the First and discussion, she stipulates the gathered council wear suits to show

Fleet become synonymous because they are crafted to act like the statue of status, they speak English to invite understanding, and express cultural

Captain Cook, a statement of perspective and a permanent marker in time perspectives throughout to demonstrate a First Nations view of this

that argues legitimacy and power. Megan Davies talks about each Australia foundation event.

Day becoming more toxic as the gap between the rhetoric of the day and Harrison brings wit and charm through the debate like a gathering of

the anniversary it marks clashes with the aspirations of the nation and its jurors sifting through evidence to arrive at agreement. There is not one

people to find a more encompassing storytelling and action.

v viewpoint, there is not unanimous settlement, there is not a right or wrong.

Drama works best when it can find voice for a diversity of arguments and
Who gets to name a place? Why is there so much confusion around the
allow an audience to decide.
foundation narratives of this country? What role do First Nations

Like many of Harrison’s works, The Visitors took a long time to develop
Australians play in the storytelling of this country?

and to be produced. Some of the hesitation of producers to get on board

The predominant histories of this country have been written by those
with the storytelling I attribute to an inability to see the value in a First
with an interest in solidifying their dominance and ownership of this
Nations perspective in the national narrative. The contention and debate
continent. Given the oral storytelling nature of Indigenous Australian

around January 26 and Australia Day I think scared off the white
cultures, it is no surprise that our narratives have been closely held and

conservative elements of our theatre-making community and demonstrates

protected during the onslaught of the colonial project. Stories and language,
a lack of imagination and negation of the role of storytelling to contribute
cultural knowledges and practices have been passed down and shared
to the redefinition of what this country could be. When this show, produced
around the campfires away from the heavy disapproving hand of the

by Moogahlin Performing Arts, sold out during the 2020 Sydney Festival
coloniser and it is no accident that storytelling in the form of theatre, film,
and extra performances had to be scheduled to fulfil demand, you got the
song, dance and art-making have been where we have found strength and
sense that these fears were unfounded. Australians are in search of new
power in the modern era.
meaning for old colonial relics and to place these abandoned and confused
foundation narratives more in relation to the 60,000-plus years of human

occupation of this continent.

We need more plays like The Visitors to help shape the future by

relooking at history through a more informed and educated point of view.

Wesley Enoch

December 2020

Wesley Enoch is a writer and director for the stage. He was the Artistic

Director of Queensland Theatre Company from 2010 to 2015 and is the

current Artistic Director at the Sydney Festival. He hails from Stradbroke

Island (Minjeribah) and is a proud Noonuccal Nuugi man.

i
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2004C03090

ii
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-23/stan-grant:-damaging-myth-captain-cook-

discovered-australia/8833536

iii
Derek Parker: Arthur Phillip: Australia’s First Governor, Woodslane Press, Sydney 2009.

iv
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/survey-reveals-most-australians-don-t-know-what-australia-day-

is-for

v
https://www.griffithreview.com/articles/long-road-uluru-walking-together-truth-before-justice-

megan-davis/
 The Visitors premiered at the 2020 Sydney Festival. The premiere was
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
supported by Create NSW, Australia Council for the Arts, City of Sydney,

the Seaborn, Broughton & Walford Foundation, and the Australian

My first responsibility is back to my community, and while there is no one Government through the Department of Communications and the Arts and

‘community’, I have been blessed with support from many First Nations Catalyst—Australian Arts and Culture Fund. I particularly want to

individuals and companies whilst developing this script. I am aware of the acknowledge the producers, Moogahlin Performing Arts. It was a big leap

sensitivity in me, as a First Nations woman, telling a ‘men’s’ story and to stage a play of its size and scope. ‘The Incredibles’—Lily Shearer,

mostly I was encouraged by the many First Nations men who were Liza-Mare Syron, Fred Copperwaite and Ali Murphy-Oates—made it

involved, so a huge thankyou to the fellas. happen. Thank you Fred Copperwaite, for your steady yet ambitious

The idea for this play had been percolating for many years before direction. To the cast: John Blair, Damion Hunter, Colin Kinchela, Nathan

Maryrose Casey invited me to be writer-in-residence at the Monash Leslie, Leroy Parsons, Glenn Shea, and Kerri Simpson, my gratitude for

University Indigenous Studies Centre. There, I put down a complete first your powerful and moving performances. Thank you to the set, sound,

draft, with a script reading culminating the residency. My two cultural lighting designers and crew, and all of those working behind the scenes to

consultants during the residency were Tony Birch and Robyne Latham. I make the magic happen on the night.

am most grateful. Sydney Festival Artistic Director Wesley Enoch deserves a big mob of

Across its many years of development, various organisations provided credit for his encouragement and sector leadership over many, many years.

support in many forms—time, workshopping, feedback, audiences and Much appreciation to Currency Press for our long-standing publishing

funding including: Ilbijerri Theatre Company, Monash University, relationship.

Moogahlin Performing Arts (Yellamundie Festival), Playwriting And for everything you do, and what you mean to me: my daughters

Australia, Melbourne Theatre Company, Cybec Electric, Melbourne Savannah and Nova, and my partner Dominic. Love, love, love.

Indigenous Arts Festival, the Victorian College of the Arts and the

Australia Council for the Arts. A huge thankyou. Jane Harrison

Waving the dramaturgical wand at various times was the adored Aiden

Fennessey, Francesca Smith, Chris Mead and Fred Copperwaite. I’ve had

the incredible privilege to work with directors Glenn Shea, Leah Purcell,

Wayne Blair and Fred Copperwaite.

I am indebted to the many superb actors who have contributed to the

play’s development: Glenn Shea, Greg Fryer, along with a number of

theatre students from Monash University (sorry, I have no record of your

names), James Henry, Aaron Pederson, Wayne Blair, Leroy Parsons,

Sermsah Bin Saad, Kamahi Djordan King, Glenn Maynard, Troy Russell,

Robert Preston, John Blair, Damion Hunter, Jason De Santis, Kirk Page,

Robert Preston, Shane Bell and Sonny Dallas Law.

 It was produced as part of the Cybec Electric playreading series, Melbourne
FIRST PRODUCTION
Theatre Company, and Melbourne Indigenous Arts Festival in 2014.
The Visitors was first produced by Sydney Festival, Moogahlin Performing
Financial support was provided by an Australia Council Grant.
Arts and Carriageworks, on 22 January 2020, with the following cast:

JACOB John Blair

GORDON Damion Hunter

ALBERT Colin Kinchela

GARY Nathan Leslie

WALTER Leroy Parsons

JOSEPH Glenn Shea

LAWRENCE Kerri Simpson

Director, Frederick Copperwaite

Set and Costume Design, Lisa Mimmochi

Lighting Design, Chloe Ogilvie

Sound Design, Phil Downing, with additional composition from Tim Gray

Producer, Liza-Mare Syron

Assistant Producers, Corrine Shepherd and Sonny Dallas Law

Production Manager, Oliver Anstis

Stage Manager, Farlie Goodwin

Deputy Stage Manager, Meagan Fitzpatrick

Wardrobe Supervisor, Lissette Endacott

Set Construction, Hamish Elliott, Camille Ostrowsky and Matthew Hinton

Community Liaison, Tim Gray

The Visitors was developed with the assistance of Monash University

Faculty of Arts, 2011, the Yellamundie Festival, 2013, and Moogahlin

Performing Arts 2019.

The play was workshopped with the assistance of Playwriting Australia and

Melbourne Theatre Company in 2013 and at Melbourne Theatre Company

in 2016.
CHARACTERS

GARY, Wallumedegal man, Northern Parramatta River mob. The

‘Bureaucrat/Numbers Man’.

LAWRENCE, young Gweagal man, Botany Bay mob, Fire Clan. Youngest.

‘Almost initiated’.

GORDON, Cadigal man, Sydney Cove–harbour-dwelling Clan. The

‘General’.

ALBERT, Wangal man, South Shore Clan. The ‘Engineer/Mr Logic’.

JACOB, Cameragal man, Manly Cove–North Shore Clan. The ‘Joker’.

The ‘Tradie’.

WALTER, Burramattagal man, River mob. Eel Place Clan. The

‘Anthropologist/Philosopher’.

JOSEPH, Kameygal, man Headlands of the Bay, Spear Clan, La Perouse

area. The ‘Doctor/Healer’.

SETTING

On an escarpment overlooking a harbour. Sandstone cliffs and bush.

CONVENTIONS

Seven Aboriginal Elders. Although it is 1788, they wear fine modern

suits and the props are modern. They bring spears and shields with

them.

— means an interruption.

▼ ▼ ▼ means a change—of mood, physical action, position relative

to one another, soundscape or lighting—as the director sees fit.
 GORDON: I could hear you three waves before you appeared. Remind me to
It is January, the weather is stifling, the rare and unusual mammatus

clouds spectacular. The sound of cicadas and birds and the sea. never use you as a scout.

JACOB: Bros. I can be silent when required. Quiet as a bush mouse. But no
A lone man, WALTER, stands on the edge of an escarpment, looking out to
need for subterfuge just for a meeting. Grandfather …
sea (the audience). He is lost in thought. Although morning, it is
JOSEPH: Jacob.
blindingly hot. After a time, GORDON arrives. He is a big man, a warrior,
JACOB and GORDON do the blackfella handshake.
fit.

JACOB: How you doing, big fella?

GORDON: Red sky at morning.
GORDON: Fighting fit, bros. You?
It isn’t said directly to WALTER but he doesn’t acknowledge it
JACOB: Well, it took three sunrises to get here, overland—
anyway.
GARY has appeared.
GORDON starts pacing, working out his action plan. He has to
—due to this fella instructing me that I couldn’t travel by water—
physicalise it, as words aren’t his thing.
GARY: Just a precaution. [ To GORDON] Respect to your country, Gordon.
After a time, JOSEPH arrives quietly. He is meticulous. He pulls a
GORDON: Welcome, Gary.
kerchief from his chest pocket and pats his brow, folding the
GARY: [ to JACOB] Surprise is our best defence.
kerchief neatly back into the pocket.

JACOB: Whatever. Just a pain going overland. When it would’ve been a

Welcome, Grandfather.
short trip as the fish swim. Sunrise to mid sun by nowee.
JOSEPH: Gordon. Respects to your country.

GARY looks out at sea.

GORDON: Received. Decent trip?

JOSEPH: Decent. The ants were frenzied. GARY: Speaking of which … never in my lifetime have I witnessed that.

GORDON: Storm on its way. GORDON: Not for long.

GARY: Not for long.

Niceties over, JOSEPH walks over to join WALTER while GORDON

resumes pacing. WALTER silently embraces JOSEPH. There’s no need GORDON and GARY shake hands. JACOB and GARY shake hands. JACOB

for words between them. JOSEPH follows WALTER’s line of sight. turns to GORDON while GARY is left standing alone.

JOSEPH: Did you ever imagine? GORDON: How’s the family?

JACOB: In great health. Expanding. Another little one on the way.

Again, WALTER doesn’t respond. After a time they hear crashing

through the bush and GORDON stops pacing. GORDON: Serious? Since last time?

JACOB: Haha. Grandfather reckons it’s something in the water. I reckon it’s
Jacob.

something in my waters, aye. Your family?

JACOB bursts onto the escarpment, swearing under his breath.
GORDON: Solid. Young fellas getting stronger.
JACOB: We’ll get to test ’em out today. JOSEPH: [ to ALBERT] Albert, did you ever expect to see them back again?

GORDON: They’ll enjoy that. Those shiny ones?

ALBERT: They come. They go.

GARY has joined JOSEPH and they have exchanged greetings.

JACOB: Shiny ones?

GARY: Grandfather. You’re looking well after such a long walk. Younger.
JOSEPH: Under their cloaks they are. Shiny and pink. Like the inside of a
Even in this heat.
shell.
JOSEPH: A parakeet fell from the sky, stone dead, and landed at my feet.

JACOB laughs.
GARY: Strange times?

JOSEPH: Strange time. Perhaps that’s Albert? They finish eating, tossing their shells in a pile. The midden.

GARY: Okay then.

They listen.

JACOB: Let’s get on with it.

Yes.

They move over to take their places in the circle.

ALBERT enters the escarpment.

GARY: Walter, would you mind joining us?

ALBERT: Respect to your country, Gordon. Ah, that view.

JACOB: Everyone loves a water view. But WALTER is still lost in thought.

ALBERT: The view has been somewhat spoilt. Walter? Brother?

GARY: Speaking of which, the purpose of this meeting— JACOB: [ under his breath] Tidda.

JACOB: We starting the formal stuff already? How about a feed first? WALTER: Pardon me. I was contemplating.

We’ve all come a long way. ’Cept Gordo. ALBERT: Told ya.

GORDON: Yeah, tuck in. Rock oysters, Goolwa cockles, pippis, red cockles,
A few laugh.

sand cockles. Collected this morning. Tuck in, fellas.

JACOB: [ under his breath] Spare us.

▼▼▼ JOSEPH: Your contemplation, sir?

WALTER: I was wondering … how we would remember this day.

They eat. WALTER hasn’t joined them.

JACOB: As a day we’ll never get back.

JOSEPH: Good tucker.
ALBERT: For the excellent feed, thank you, Gordon.
JACOB: The eel eater isn’t joining us?
JOSEPH: The ridiculous heat.

He indicates WALTER.
GARY: Before we start waxing lyrical, let’s get through the meeting

ALBERT: He’s contemplating. protocols.

JACOB grabs more food. JACOB: Highlight of my summer.

GARY: We speak one at a time, using the message stick. Agreed?

 We listen more than we speak. WALTER: Walter, Eel mob, River Nation.

We stay until we all agree. JACOB: Jacob, North Shore Nation. We’re lovers and fighters. We love

The agreement is for the greater good, not favouring any one clan 3
fighting—ay.
group. Agreed?
GARY: Gary, Northern River Nation.
ALL: Yes. Yep. Yes.
GORDON: Gordon, proud Harbour and Freshwater Nation.
GARY: No gossip. Agreed?
GARY: Thank you, Gordon, for permission to hold this meeting on your
ALL: Of course. Yes. 4
country. Are we happy to speak this common language?
GARY: Lastly, have you given instructions that the women are not to
JACOB: Of course!
1
approach them, nor the children?
ALL: Yes. Yep.
ALL: Yes.
GARY: Wait. Where’s the Bay mob? Uncle Raymond?
JACOB: Hang on. How are the girls going to fish if they’re not allowed on
JOSEPH: He declined.
2
the water? That’s what they do.
GARY: Why’s that, Gordon?
ALBERT: It’s just until they leave.
GORDON: Why ask me?
GARY: None of us should approach them until we send word?
JACOB: You flogged him, hey, bros. What for?
ALL: Okay. Yes. Fine.
GORDON: Running off his mouth.
GARY: Jiliwa that way.
GARY looks disapprovingly at both GORDON and JACOB.
Keep your coolamons full.

It’s hot and we need you hydrated. GARY: No gossip. All—other than the Bay mob—are here?

All agree? ALL: Yes.

ALBERT: Sure. GARY: Good. [ In language] May the spirits look kindly on this Council of

GORDON: The plan is— Elders and guide us in our business today.

Gordon, as this is in your country that we meet on—

GARY holds up his hand.

JACOB: Then why isn’t he chairing the meeting?

GARY: After the Welcome, Gordon … Protocols.
GARY: Because it’s my turn. We agreed last meeting—?
GORDON: Sure.
GORDON: But my country has the best lookouts.
I wish to welcome you to country, the land which provides for us,

our Elders, who guide us with their wisdom of the ages, our warriors, They all turn to look out to sea. After a time …

who defend us, the stories and ceremonies, which teach us lore. And I JOSEPH: Let me get it straight. There were three, but smaller nowees. They

welcome you, the respected Elders of the surrounding nations.

left. Now there’s one big one?

JOSEPH: Joseph, Headlands of the Bay Nation. Spear Clan.

A few of the men nod in reply.
ALBERT: Albert, South Shore Nation.
ALBERT: I’ve estimated it could hold a whole clan group. GARY: I’m not sure about this.

GARY: Hold that great observation, Albert. Our agenda … JACOB: At least he’s strong.

JACOB: Keep the river flowing, Gary. GORDON: And he’s armed.

GARY: Actually there’s only one item— JOSEPH: Good for him to sit and listen, eh?

JACOB: We can use him to run messages. Hang back there, young fella.
There’s a sound through the trees and they all react, alert.

GARY: For the boy’s sake, let’s go around and introduce ourselves—
LAWRENCE bursts into the space, panting.

GORDON: We’ve done that. He can catch up.

LAWRENCE: Uncles, Uncles.
GARY: Okay … Lawrence, I’m Gary, Chair of this Elders committee. Who
GORDON: Warra warra wai.
are you, in relation to us? Do you have obligations?
GARY: Go away.
He looks between LAWRENCE and ALBERT. They nod.
JACOB: This is men’s business.

ALBERT: He’s my second wife’s second cousin’s kid. [ As if that explains it

GARY: Why are you here?

all.]
LAWRENCE: Uncle Raymond sent me.
LAWRENCE: Cousin brother.
ALBERT: He’s Bay mob. Young Lawrence.
ALBERT: Bay mob. Fire Clan.
GARY: Go on then.
JOSEPH: Welcome.
LAWRENCE is still out of breath …
GORDON: Oi! That’s for me to do. Welcome.
LAWRENCE: He wanted me to tell youse about the big nowees …
LAWRENCE: Respect to your country, Uncle.

▼▼▼
LAWRENCE nods then sneezes.

JACOB: One big nowee. We see it. JOSEPH: The dust?

LAWRENCE: Nah, there’s a whole mob of them. Uncle wanted me to warn LAWRENCE: The heat. I reckon it’s the heat.

you.
LAWRENCE wipes his mucousy nose on his arm; the others wrinkle
WALTER: Warn us?
their noses in disgust.

LAWRENCE: That they’re coming. That they’re on their way. Each with a
JOSEPH: A scarlet parakeet fell from the sky. In my many years, I have not
big mob on board.
witnessed that. I wondered … well … could it have something to do
GARY: So why isn’t he here to warn us?
with them ?

LAWRENCE quickly glances at GORDON and shakes his head. JACOB: They don’t have that much power, Gramps.

LAWRENCE: Umm … JOSEPH: Perhaps not.

GORDON: He sent a boy in his place. GORDON clears his throat and GARY gets the hint.
GARY: Gentlemen! This is not our usual, seasonal meeting— ALBERT: We’ll see.

JOSEPH: Being law time. And the women being off on their business— GORDON: Who cares if he votes? What I wanna know is, will he man up?

GARY: —I felt it was incumbent upon me, as Chair, that we should meet to We need the young fellas to form our front line. You up for that?

discuss—and agree on—a course of action. Gordon, respectfully, as LAWRENCE: Sure. I brought my spear, my woomera and Uncle’s shield.

this is your country, I pass the message stick to you.

But he’s wary.

GORDON: The plan—

JACOB: Ay, look out. Young fella’s armed and dangerous!
LAWRENCE: Sorry, Uncle Gary?
JOSEPH: Or maybe he can be lookout. Young eyes.
GARY: Yes, Lawrence?
GARY: Please. Let’s go about this in an orderly way.
LAWRENCE: Am I, ah, allowed to ask something?
JACOB: Yeah, yeah—
JACOB: For fuck’s sake!
GARY: Our business today is to discuss the nowee—
GARY: Jacob!
JACOB: The mari nowee.
GORDON: Gadi burns, while we educate a boy.
GARY: Yes, Jacob. The very big nowee. We have eyes, Jacob.
JOSEPH: Isn’t that what we do?
GORDON: The mari nowee that should just warra warra wai out of my
GARY: Gadi’s not burning. Nothing’s happened. 5
country.

JACOB: Yet.
GARY: Our process needs to be—

GARY: Go ahead. 6
JACOB: Quick. I’ve got bark for a canoe drying out. In this weather, it’ll

LAWRENCE: I just want to clarify, why are you meeting? What do you have
crack. So, Mr Chair, get on with it!

to agree on?
LAWRENCE: Does anyone know why they’re back? After fourteen hot

GARY: Oh, I’m sorry. How we’re gunna deal with this mari nowee, this
seasons?

time.
WALTER: Fine question, lad.

ALBERT: Back after eighteen hot seasons.

GARY: It’s actually eighteen seasons.

JOSEPH: Hot alright.

JOSEPH: Well. They come and they go.

GORDON: We’re gunna scare it away.

JACOB: Who cares why? They’re here now. And we want them gone.

ALBERT: Shoo it off, proper way.

GORDON: None of us want them here. Trampling over country. Again.

LAWRENCE: Oh. Okay then.

GARY: Let’s put it to a vote. Anyone abstaining?

JOSEPH: [ to LAWRENCE] Did Uncle give you any instructions?

ALL: No.

LAWRENCE: Oh … yes … Uncle said, if I had a chance, that I should vote,

GARY: The vote is: we’re gunna to send them on their way. Shoo them off.
to represent our mob …
Agreed?
GARY: Not sure about that. JACOB: Bit cheeky.
ALL EXCEPT WALTER: Yep.
 But they don’t notice. GORDON: And, Walter, your fellas can be in the second wave to come up

GARY: With a show of force? Yep? over the top. That way it looks like there are waves and waves of

warriors, never ending.

All nod. It seems.

▼▼▼
JACOB: Too right.

GARY: Agreed. Make it look like we’re serious. JACOB: Classic strategy.

GORDON: We are serious. GARY: Sounds like a plan.

ALBERT: Exactly. Mr Chair. I believe Gordon has formulated a plan? WALTER: Wait.

GARY: Gordon, could you set the scene please … GARY: What?

GARY passes the message stick down to GORDON, who accepts it very ALBERT: Got a different plan?

formally. WALTER: A show of hands?

GORDON: Certainly, Mr Chair. I’m suggesting: the attack should come GARY: What?

from three directions. Albert, you and South Shore mob, you come WALTER: Before. When you declared that we’d all agreed to shoo them off.

from the west side. The protocol is we vote with a show of hands.

ALBERT: My men are on standby. Awaiting my signal. GARY: Okay. Point taken.

GORDON: Good fella. Jacob’s mob will come down from the east. They start to put hands up gammon way.

JACOB: I have seventy, eighty fellas on standby. Raring to go.

JACOB: [ aside] He’s more of a stickler for the rules than Gazza. [ Under his

GORDON: And I will bring my fellas over from the south. [ To JOSEPH] And
breath] And that’s saying something.

you, Grandfather. You have your youngest, strongest warriors at the GARY: [ clearing his throat ] Elders. With a show of hands—all those in

ready?
favour of sending them away—

JACOB sniggers. GORDON: Once and for all!

JOSEPH: Well I, I um … Five hands go up. WALTER does not raise his hand. They all look at

JACOB: Not much fire power in his mob. Which is—what’s the word?— him.

anyway, weird? Coz he’s Spear Clan. Haha. ALBERT: What?

JOSEPH: Ironic?
GARY: Why?

JACOB: That’s not a word.

JACOB: That’s crazy.

GARY: What’s with you mob, today? You’re all over the place!
GORDON: It’s bullshit.

He shakes his head. ALBERT: Is this part of some other idea? You got a better idea? He’s pretty

clever.
 7
WALTER: No. WALTER: They look desperate.

GARY: [to WALTER] Let me get this straight. You don’t want to shoo them JACOB: How’s that our problem?

away? What do you expect us to do? Set fire to their nowee? WALTER: They’re in our waters. So they’re our responsibility.

JACOB: Not a bad idea, Gary. GORDON: Not mine.

WALTER: No. ALBERT: Look, Walter, from all the stories our old people tell us, we don’t

GARY: Then what? want that mob landing. You must have heard those stories? I can tell

ALBERT: Let them land? you—

WALTER: No need.
WALTER looks out at the boats. The clouds get darker. A wind whips

GARY: So why’d you vote the other way?

up.

WALTER: Well, it might seem simple to just send them away. But it could
WALTER: Maybe.
be a matter of life or death.
JACOB: Whaaat?
JACOB: Don’t be ridiculous! We’re not gunna die.
GORDON: Somebody thinks different.
GARY: It’s a show of force, not an actual battle. A gammon battle.
LAWRENCE: Yeah!
GORDON: Although we may need to follow through—
JACOB: It’s hot, it’s gunna thunder. It’s gunna bucket down. We all know
ALBERT: If it comes to that.
what we gotta do.
GORDON: In which case, there’s always casualties with war.
JOSEPH: There is no precipitation with mammatus clouds. That comes later.

GARY: War? That’s a whole different set of protocols—we need to check

With cumulonimbus clouds.

that with the women—no way could we make a decision like that
JACOB: Excuse me.
without the women.
GARY: Gentlemen! Keep it nice.
WALTER: I wasn’t talking about us dying. I mean them .
ALBERT turns to WALTER.

He points his lips in the direction of the sea.

ALBERT: Is it like he said, are you just trying to be different?
And it’s daunting to condemn them to death without a discussion first.
WALTER: No.
ALBERT: How?
ALBERT: Then why?
WALTER: They could die of hunger or—
GORDON: Come on. I mean, they’re a pathetic mob.
8
JACOB: —or plain stupidity. But why should that matter to us?
WALTER: Pathetic. Yes.

▼▼▼
GARY: Why don’t you want to send them on their way?

▼▼▼ ALBERT: I’m curious as to your evidence for that viewpoint. What’s

convinced you that they’re at risk?

JOSEPH: What are you seeing, Walter, that we might have missed?
WALTER: Albert—you say evidence? What evidence do you have that they GORDON: That’d be right! What a joker.

aren’t? That’s my point. Logic suggests we need to check them out JACOB: I thought I was the joker.

first … then decide.

GARY: Shut up, Jacob.

They all gaze in their direction, but not JACOB or GORDON.

LAWRENCE: You Elders!

The weather changes slightly, as do the clouds and sounds. ALBERT: Shh.

GARY: Look. Just because I want to send them off, that doesn’t mean I GARY: Settle down! Hand the message stick to Walter. Explain yourself.

want them to die. I just want them to go away. The message stick is passed down.

JACOB: They don’t belong here.

Go on, Walter. You’ve got the stick—make it count.

GARY: My mind is made up. All of our minds are fixed, right?
WALTER: Who are we, around this circle? Yes, we’re the warriors of our

ALL EXCEPT JOSEPH: Right . mobs. We’re the craftsmen. Scientists, Healers. We’re cultured. We

JACOB: Even yours, Grandfather, right? Right? Right, Joey? have language, more than one. We trade. We have ceremonies and

JOSEPH: Right … yeah, yeah. songs. We have lore. We have protocols. And we share one particular

protocol, and that is we welcome those who pass through our country.
JACOB: And talking about it for a whole mob of seasons won’t change our
JOSEPH: True.
minds.

WALTER: Our tradition—our protocol—is to welcome visitors to country.

WALTER: If we talk it through then I would feel we had made an informed

We at least owe them that.

decision.

GORDON: Don’t think so, brother. We have no obligations toward them.

JOSEPH: That’s reasonable.

And they’ve got their big nowees to sail in—

WALTER: It’s about us. Following through with our protocols. Which might
JACOB: So they can nowee somewhere else.
include us letting them land.

GORDON: I don’t want them landing on my country. Look, I know their

GARY: Serious? You know what that means. We let them land …

kind. You can’t trust ’em. Everybody knows that.

JOSEPH: And we’re obliged to welcome them.
JOSEPH: Pardon me, sir, but how can you slander a whole mob like that?
JACOB: Haha. Walter. Good one.
GORDON: Saying it like it is.
WALTER shrugs.
JOSEPH: That doesn’t represent my position, my feelings, at all.
GORDON: Welcome them? I’ve never heard such bullshit.
GORDON: Are you lecturing me, old fella?
JACOB: Perhaps he thinks we should invite them to share wallaby? Perhaps
GARY: Ayyyye!
we should have a big corroboree for them. Give them access to our
ALBERT: That’s not on, Gordon.
best waterholes. Tell ’em to help themselves to our oysters and sand
JOSEPH: [ to ALBERT] I’m the senior Elder here.
cockles and Goolwa cockles—

GARY: Gordon—
GARY: A barbecue.
GORDON: Sorry, Grandfather. GORDON: We should be ready to pounce!

ALBERT: It’s unusual circumstances. JACOB: This meeting should be about the plan, Gary.

LAWRENCE: On account of the heat and all? ALBERT: We need to be signalling to our men on standby. We need to be

JOSEPH: [ to LAWRENCE] Please don’t think that’s how we usually act. briefing them.

GORDON: Prepping them for the battle ahead.

LAWRENCE: Sure, Grandfather.

JACOB: Then we can all go home.

GARY: In an oyster shell, what are you suggesting, Walter?

WALTER: Rather than just rushing in to confront them, we consider other LAWRENCE: Battle. Yeah! Then I’ll be a big man.

options. That’s what these meetings are for. To consider. We set aside JOSEPH: Is that your last test, young fella?

a day, to talk, to listen, to observe. LAWRENCE: Yep. I’ve gone through most of initiation. Last thing I need to

9
JACOB: A day? A whole freaking day! do.

GARY: Calm down! He’s right. Our role here is to look at the situation
GORDON looks at LAWRENCE as if for the first time. The others all

wisely.
look pointedly at GARY.

ALBERT: That means sticking to what we can prove, what we know.

GARY: Hey! Persuade him right way. The vote needs to be unanimous.
GARY: Exactly. Orderly, calmly, listening deeply.
GORDON: Gary, can I have a word?
ALBERT: Still keeping an eye on them …
Reluctantly, GARY goes off with GORDON for a moment.
LAWRENCE points but they ignore him.
GORDON talks animatedly for a few minutes, while GARY looks
JOSEPH: And if it’s only a day, and if there’s a risk they might die …
uncomfortable. The others talk small talk: ‘How’s the family?’

LAWRENCE points more energetically. They ignore him. ‘How ya bin?’ et cetera.

LAWRENCE: Hey, Uncs. Look … JACOB draws JOSEPH off to the side.

ALBERT: Three of them. JACOB: Gramps. Got a minute? It’s about the new wife.

GARY: Three … JOSEPH: Yes.

GORDON: That’s more than last time. JACOB: Well. You know.

LAWRENCE: There were almost two mobs of them in my country last JOSEPH: No.

week …
JACOB: Well. Things aren’t all that … things aren’t exactly …

JOSEPH: Almost two mobs? Twelve?

JOSEPH: Oh, oh, I get ya. Well then, let me look at you. Put your arms out.

LAWRENCE: Almost.
JACOB obliges. JOSEPH sniffs under his armpits.
GORDON: We need to assemble. We need to prepare.
JACOB: I don’t have this trouble with the others … This new one, she’s a
GARY: We still outnumber them, don’t we? All our mobs, against three
bit tricky … Ever had that problem?
nowees’ of them …?
JOSEPH: Yeah. Nah. Poke ya tongue out. All hands go up.

He examines the tongue. GORDON: Welcome, son.

LAWRENCE: Thanks. Unc.

Hmm. Hmm.

JACOB: What is it? Is it serious? But he’s wary.

JOSEPH: Depends. I reckon … WALTER: Mr Chair, can we observe them for a few moments? Indulge me.

JACOB: Tell me. JACOB: Why don’t we watch them for the next five seasons so you can get

JOSEPH: I reckon … she just doesn’t like you. everything straight?

ALBERT: Why are you so interested in them?

He notices everyone’s back to the table.

JACOB: Yeah, what’s that about?

Oh—they’re back.

WALTER: I’m interested in what we can learn from them.

JOSEPH re-joins the others, a crestfallen JACOB slinking along behind.

JACOB: Not much.

GORDON stands, addressing the others.
10
WALTER: Us mob exchange knowledge all the time.
GORDON: I’m proposing that the young fella can vote. We all have times
ALBERT: That’s how we make sense of the world, isn’t it? As scientists? By
when there is sorry business, or other business, when we send an Elder-
exchanging knowledge.
in-training to represent our mob, eh?

WALTER: Then why not with them?

ALBERT: Hmm …

GARY: Gordon has convinced me that there are precedents. But ALBERT shakes his head.

ALBERT: It’s unusual— GARY: Okay, okay. Let’s all observe them for a few minutes.

JACOB: Like everything about this crazy day— JACOB: Why don’t we measure their heads while we’re at it?

JOSEPH: The wind’s picking up. Hear it?

They all just stare out. After some time …

▼▼▼ [ To GORDON] Tap me on the shoulder when something happens.

GORDON: Nothing’s gunna happen.

GARY: Albert?

GARY: So why the scare campaign then, Gordon?

ALBERT: I suppose.

GARY: Grandfather? After a time …

JOSEPH: I guess … why not? ALBERT: What have we learnt?

WALTER: I’m okay with it. We agree then? JACOB: Lot of bark in those nowees.

ALL: Yes. GARY: That they appear to be watching us?

WALTER: With a show of hands? JOSEPH: Maybe they’re waiting for us to welcome them? Do you see any

GARY: With a show of hands. Elders on board …?

GORDON: They don’t have Elders. LAWRENCE: They came onto country and cut a heap of grass and took it

12
JOSEPH: Ttt. back to their nowees. They needed help to find water. They’re a

ALBERT: Anything solid? Like solid evidence? That we can use to form an bit … I dunno, not very savvy, I guess. Uncle Raymond says we should

send them away. He says they don’t belong. They are myall, strangers.
opinion?

WALTER: Yet we welcome everyone else. That’s our way of doing things
LAWRENCE: [ boldly] You’ve checked them out, Uncle. What have you

since, well, the beginning of time.

learned?

LAWRENCE: Well, sure … I know what it is to welcome a visitor to my

WALTER: There’s at least two clan groups. The ones with the ceremonial

11 country. I mean … I’m not an Elder, not yet but …

markings. And the other group.

WALTER: A welcome is a welcome.

ALBERT: Yes. But what does that mean?

LAWRENCE: What I’m trying to say is, I don’t think it’s the same with
GORDON: Different to last time.
them. They’re different.
GARY: Anything else?
JACOB: Sure are.
They look at each other, look across the sea, look back at each other.
WALTER: Different doesn’t mean less than.
The sounds of masts creaking, and metal on metal, and faint voices.
GARY: We don’t know that. Let’s not speculate.
JOSEPH: They’re noisy buggers.
ALBERT: Better to draw upon our knowledge of them . What do we know—
Sniggers of laughter.
first-hand?

GARY: Okay, okay … let’s try a different tack. Let’s all take a small mob
They all look at each other. They all look blank.
of time to yarn Walter around.
WALTER: I have something.
JACOB: Like a really small mob of time. No bloody speeches, right?
JACOB: Is it ‘magic’? Haha.
GARY: Stop interrupting. We each take a small mob of time to put forward
WALTER: Kind of.
our arguments. Why we should scare them off. Who’ll begin?

Grandfather Joseph, as the eldest? WALTER brings out a tomahawk. They come over to look, GORDON

JOSEPH: Please, not yet. holding back.

13
GARY: Lawrence? ALBERT: Is that a mago?

JACOB: You set a grass fire, young fella, we’ll see what it flushes out. WALTER: Kind of.

GORDON: But watch which way the wind is blowing. LAWRENCE touches it.

LAWRENCE: Uncle Raymond said … well, I think …

LAWRENCE: It’s sharp!

GARY: Go on.
GARY: Don’t cut yourself, young fella!

LAWRENCE: Well, their nowees were in my country for three days.

ALBERT: Where’d you get it?

GARY: Yeah, almost twelve of them [ snorting in derision]. Go on.

WALTER: I found it. After they left last time …
JACOB: Weird. JACOB: There must be something I can trade. A wife …

WALTER: No thanks. Albert? What do you make of it?

They begin to fool around with it.

ALBERT: It’s very much like our magos, the stuff it’s made from except
JOSEPH: It’s not flint. Or greenstone. What would you use it for, Jacob?

maybe—and I hate to say this, but better?

JACOB: I’d use it for fighting.
GORDON: Big deal.
WALTER: I experimented with it. Say you have a possum that has fled up
WALTER: Jacob?
onto a branch—

JACOB: I’d use it.

JACOB: The women do that. That’s their job—

LAWRENCE: I really want it.

WALTER: With this implement you can chop down that branch really

GORDON: Pff. You lot are gullible. Sucked in by a toy.

quickly, and get to the possum, in just a few blows.

ALBERT: Incredible! ALBERT: They might have other—what did you call it? Technologies. We

LAWRENCE: Awesome. don’t know.

WALTER: Gary, don’t you have something of theirs?

JACOB: Yeah, yeah. I like it.

JOSEPH: But if you chop down the branch, isn’t it gone forever? ▼▼▼
WALTER: That’s true, so like all tools, one must be judicious in its use. 16
GARY: Thanks, Walter … They gave my wife’s Aunty this.

▼▼▼
He pulls a faded red ribbon from his pocket.

14
JACOB: I could trade with you. I have some excellent spears. [ Apologetically] I sometimes use it to tie the feet of fowl together. It’s

quite strong.
WALTER ignores him.
WALTER: And wasn’t there something about a cloth?
LAWRENCE: Hey, Unc. Don’t give it to these old fellas, no disrespect. It’s a
GARY: Now that you remind me, yes … they also gave her this.
young fella thing. New technology.
17
He pulls out a handkerchief and covers his groin area with it. JACOB
WALTER: Exactly! Or say you’re running up a tree, to get honey—

begins to laugh. They all join in. GARY hams it up a little, enjoying
JACOB: The women collect the honey.

the attention, doing a coy dance.

WALTER: —and it is painstaking to make the notches in the side of the tree,

15 JOSEPH: Your wife’s Aunty didn’t feel threatened?

this is perfect for making the notches—like this.

ALBERT: They didn’t try to drag away any of the women?

He demonstrates making a notch in the timber.
GARY: Why, no.
See?
ALBERT: Of course that doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t. Just that they
JOSEPH: In terms of it using less time, what do we do with the extra time
didn’t. On that occasion.
we save?
WALTER: That’s right. They didn’t.
WALTER: That’s a point too.
 19
JACOB: How is he so sure? the cockatoos from the trees. Old Uncle George get a big fright. A

GORDON: When he hasn’t even been up close. poisonous smell lingers in the air … Second time, the goorabeera rings

out again. Bang! Old Uncle George is struck in the leg! He bleeds! He
GARY: Well, what do you know for sure then, Gordon?
20
gives out a terrifying yell. Brave Uncle Raymond—
GORDON: Last time they were aggressive. I know that first-hand. They had

many weapons. Goorabeeras.

18 GORDON reacts …

LAWRENCE: Like you, Uncle? GORDON: You’re telling that story wrong.

JACOB: Cheeky! … but ALBERT is intent …

GARY: You were there? Tell us. Pass him the message stick.
ALBERT: Brave young Raymond with his spear and his illalong charges

The message stick is passed to GORDON. But he won’t take it. towards them. The goorabeera bangs once more and this was the

result!
GORDON: Was a long time ago.
21
ALBERT: The illalong with the hole! I know this story! Gary, pass it! He holds LAWRENCE’s shield up and puts his finger through a hole.

They all nod—except GORDON and WALTER.

LAWRENCE passes ALBERT the shield.

Straight through it went!

JACOB: We all know it.

▼▼▼
He sighs.

ALBERT: And the message stick, Lawrence … So, eighteen summers ago— LAWRENCE: I like the way you tell that story.

JACOB: [ groaning] No speeches … GORDON growls.

ALBERT: Eighteen hot seasons ago, this same mob. with the same markings,
WALTER: Mmmmm. That story’s …

appear. The Elders try to ignore them, but they kept persisting. So they
ALBERT: The point is: those things hurt from a whole mob of distance. And
sent down an advance party. Uncle George, Gordon’s father, and Uncle
we have proof. Bang!
Raymond.
JOSEPH: Old Uncle repelled them though?
LAWRENCE: Uncle Raymond tells this yarn!
GARY: Obviously. They left. But now they’re back. Do we want that to
ALBERT: Except he was young Raymond then.
happen again?
GORDON: Raymond shouldn’t be telling that story.
ALBERT: No.
GARY: Then you tell it.
JOSEPH: No.

But GORDON shakes his head and ALBERT grabs his chance to
JACOB: We need more than two old fellas to scare them off.

continue.
He goes to stand up but WALTER holds up his hand.
ALBERT: It’s a community story and I have the message stick. The two men
WALTER: Wait! What if there’s another explanation?
step forward but in response the goorabeera erupts, Bang! frightening
GARY: [ to WALTER] You have questions, well so do I. Like, why the need WALTER: At first I wasn’t sure what it was, and if it was utilitarian or a

for the goorabeera? When old Uncle was approaching them to talk? trivial thing. I experimented and discovered it was a tool. It’s perfect

GORDON: To welcome them. for making these kinds of openings—it’s very hard—and it can make

unusual markings. See?

GARY: Explain that!

WALTER: I can’t. He shows the decoration on his shield.

ALBERT: You say that a lot, Walter. JACOB: That tool, you still got it?

WALTER: Yes. GORDON: Lies. All lies.

WALTER: You said the hole in the illalong proved they were dangerous.
ALBERT points to the shield reverentially.

GORDON: That mob is dangerous. I know it.

▼▼▼
WALTER: What if the story’s exaggerated?

ALBERT: This is the very illalong that was pierced by the goorabeera. We
LAWRENCE: What do you mean?

have the story, but we can also see the outcome with our own eyes.
WALTER turns to ALBERT.
WALTER: That story. There’s something wrong …
WALTER: Albert, is what I said possible?
GORDON: [ muttering] Yes.
ALBERT: Those old stories are evidence.
GARY: Go on.
WALTER: Then perhaps my story is too? [ To JOSEPH] What about you,
WALTER: What if that hole, in that illalong, wasn’t caused by a goorabeera?
Grandfather? Do you still think Albert’s tale is the whole, and the only,
ALBERT: Look at it! It wasn’t made by a piece of flint or a kangaroo tooth.
story?
It wasn’t made by anything we know. Yet there’s a hole.
JOSEPH: It’s a mystery.
GORDON: The goorabeera made that hole. I swear on my life.
GARY: Or a distraction. We need to decide whether we let them land or not.
WALTER: Perhaps there’s a different explanation?
Gordon says they’re dangerous: Walter says they’re not. What else do

WALTER reveals his shield. There is a hole in it. Everyone stares at it. we have?

GORDON: It’s a trick. WALTER: I said, ‘They’re not necessarily dangerous’.

JOSEPH: My eyes tell me that’s the same kind of hole! GARY: Could they … if we let them land, would it be possible that they

22
JACOB: Did you find that too? After they left? could deny us our liberty?

WALTER: No. It’s mine. And I made the hole in it. GORDON: Pff. They won’t succeed. I am the equal of three of those people.

ALBERT: How? In my opinion, they are weak, dull and cowardly.

JACOB: If they try to rush us, we’ll respond in force. They won’t know what
WALTER: Using an object of theirs that I found.

hit them.
JACOB: You love their stuff.
GORDON: In terms of marksmanship, they have no idea of our superiority WALTER: We have as long as it takes. We have forever.

23
over them. We have more accurate spears, and more athletic JACOB: [ under his breath] We’re gunna use up our forever yabbering.
24
warriors. GARY: Alright then—Jacob, your turn.

WALTER: That also contradicts your story about the goorabeera, and their
ALBERT tosses him the message stick.
terrifying ‘magical’ powers. Therefore they prove no threat.
JACOB: Why yarn up big time about them? You’ve checked them out. They
GORDON: You’re trying to trip me up.
26
are among the miserablest specimens you’ve ever seen. Wretched.
JOSEPH: Gentlemen!
JOSEPH: Have you seen their teeth?
GORDON: None of us want them here.

▼▼▼
Sullen silence.

27
LAWRENCE: Their teeth are shocking.
▼▼▼
ALBERT: You have to be up quite close to notice their teeth.
25
GORDON: Bay mob fella said they tossed their dead overboard, at dawn.
GORDON: Teeth? Teeth?! I mean, come on, we need to take action! Before
GARY: I heard it was one body.
they … before they … ambush us. Jacob—c’mon. Do something, bros.
GORDON: So? Still not right.
JACOB: [ to WALTER] We all want to send them away. You’re stopping us.

WALTER: Gordon. You fight with that family group, don’t you?
Why?

LAWRENCE: Hey. That’s my mob— WALTER: Alright. I have a peculiar feeling about this. And too many

GARY: Shush, young fella! questions that I don’t have the answers for. For instance, we don’t

WALTER: You speak of their dishonesty often, yet, all of a sudden, this Bay know what their motivations are. They could have come in peace, they

mob brother is a reliable witness. could be in trouble, they could offer us things that are useful.

JACOB: Peculiar feeling? It’s about a feeling? And their motivations?

GORDON stands up.
Seriously?
GORDON: You think you’re a real clever fella.
He laughs and GORDON joins in.
WALTER: I am the clever fella.

GORDON: Nothing you say changes what I see with my own eyes.
GARY: Gordon! Elders!
I see big nowees. Lots of them.
He has a migraine.
I see a mob of mobs of people.
Grandfather, Joseph, I would really value your wise council right
Dangerous people.
now …
LAWRENCE: There’s another one!
JOSEPH: Still gathering my thoughts.
ALBERT: Four nowees.
GARY: That’s okay, Grandfather. Take your time.
LAWRENCE: And another on the horizon!
JACOB: Like we’ve got lots of that.
GARY: That’ll make five.
JOSEPH: Maybe he was right? About the two mobs. JOSEPH: I can’t hear myself think—

ALBERT: They slashed trees on one side—

He points at LAWRENCE. They all look out at sea.

JACOB: When some of us would rather be elsewhere!

ALBERT: They’re so big. Huge.

GARY: Quiet!
LAWRENCE: Taller than ten men.

ALBERT: —muddied the streams—

GARY: Elders? Elders! Your arguments?

JACOB: Me in particular—as well as the canoe, I’ve got that new wife—
GORDON: The goorabeeras. That’s all the evidence we need.

GARY: Busy man—

WALTER: We haven’t actually seen any goorabeeras, this time.

JACOB: Too right—

▼▼▼
JOSEPH: I can’t hear myself think!

ALBERT: Technically, we haven’t seen anything and they haven’t done GARY: Elders! Quiet. Men. Brothers! Shut up!

anything.
They all fall silent.
GORDON: Why are you siding with him?
LAWRENCE: Do youse have to yell? You’re giving me a headache.
ALBERT: I’m not.
They look at him, but basically they’re too caught up in their own
There is thunder in the distance. The wind has picked up.
mire.
28
JOSEPH: Cumulonimbus clouds. Wild weather is imminent, gentlemen.
And how do you agree on anything?
GARY: Grandfather, it must be your turn. Please. Have you formulated your
ALBERT: [ to WALTER, quieter ] You’ve managed to stir up all this chaos over
thoughts?
something that should be really straightforward.
JOSEPH: Shouldn’t we go back to our women? Hear what they have to say?
GORDON: None of us want them here.

ALBERT: Our women are on secret business. They were firm about us not
JOSEPH: You don’t speak for everyone. Not for me, anyway.
bothering them.
GORDON: Old man!
JOSEPH: Right.
GARY: Gordon.

JACOB groans. There is long silence, and then suddenly everyone

JACOB: Fellas, let’s just decide.
begins talking at once—overlapping.
GARY: It can’t just be any old decision. Has to be the right one. And

GORDON: Did anyone force them to come here? No—!

sometimes these things take time. Middens weren’t built in a day.

JACOB: If they die, whose fault is that? Not ours— Walter, have you got anything to add?

ALBERT: And what about the trees? They hacked them down, last time. Pause.

They just swept through ceremonial grounds—

GORDON: He’s got nothing. Let’s go. Let’s do it.
JACOB: All this talk talk talk. Yabba yabba.
They all stand as if to leave, excepting GARY and JOSEPH.
GARY: Quiet.
GARY: Wait! Away.

GORDON: I’m going down there now. C’mon, men. One mark indicating we should allow them to land …

GARY: We haven’t voted … GORDON bangs his boomerangs together.

GORDON, JACOB and ALBERT are gathering their things when WALTER GORDON: That’s a joke!

speaks softly. JACOB: Which one of you? Own up. The rest of us deserve to know.

WALTER: Stop. I’ll do you a deal. You vote. I’ll sit it out. If you all vote to GARY: The point of a secret ballot is that we don’t disclose the way we

repel them, I’ll respect the decision. vote. If the Elder wants it that way …

GARY: Highly unusual. But then, this is a most unusual meeting … Any GORDON: He doesn’t need to own up. We all know who turned.

objections? He points at JOSEPH.

ALL: No … let’s do it … about time …

Hey, Grandfather? One heartbeat you are voting to send them back to
JACOB: Deadly! Let’s get it over with.
where they came from and the next this smooth-talking do-gooder is

ALBERT: It’ll move things along. spinning a story about a poor mob who are gunna die if we don’t help

GORDON: Some action. them, so you jump over to the other side of the river. That’s pathetic.

GARY: Hey! We don’t talk to each other like that! We’re Elders. It’s not
WALTER walks over to the lookout point, intensely still, and then
right.
turns, observing them.
GORDON: You’re worried about what’s right? We’re trying to send this
GARY: Last time, Brother Walter was ostracised by the way he voted. I
ruthless mob back to where they belong—and all of a sudden we’re
don’t use that word lightly. So this time we will vote anonymously.
paying attention to a pack of stories!
Each of you, mark the message stick. To send them away, mark the red
JOSEPH: Please—
section. To let them land, mark the yellow section. Clear?
GARY: Gordon!
He marks the stick with a piece of sharp flint then passes both on.
JOSEPH: Please—
The movement of the clouds across the sky quickens as if time has

GARY: Can I remind everyone, that this is not about what the ‘popular’
sped up. One by one, they make their mark on the stick. Finally it

reaches GARY again. decision is. I am proud to be an Elder on this Council because I value

that we have different opinions and that we talk things through in a

Walter?
respectful manner. Gordon. Your tone is not in the spirit of these
WALTER returns. GARY examines the stick carefully.
meetings.

Send them away. GORDON: Gunna get the whole set of protocols chanted at us, are we?

Away.
GARY: No. Just you.
Away.
GORDON, at boiling point, steps towards GARY but JACOB intervenes.
Away.
JACOB: Let’s get back to this brother. Who changes his mind, just like that. JACOB: Told ya! [ To GORDON] Hey! I bet it’s that business with Raymond

—that’s what! You’ve made an enemy of the Bay mob!

They all circle JOSEPH.

GORDON pushes LAWRENCE a little.

Tell us why?

ALBERT: Yes, enlighten us. GORDON: Is that it? It’s a revenge on me?

GORDON: Yeah! Yeah. LAWRENCE: It’s nothing to do with that! Even though I think you’re a bully.

JOSEPH: I can’t— GORDON goes to biff LAWRENCE but WALTER shoves LAWRENCE

GORDON: Coward! sideways and stands in his place.

LAWRENCE: Because it was me. GARY: [ to LAWRENCE] And you lot, quit it. Finish what you have to say,

GORDON: You! Lawrence. [ Under his breath] The meeting’s a fucking shamble.

JOSEPH: You. LAWRENCE: Okay. The reason I changed is—him. [ Pointing at WALTER]

JACOB: Give us your reason! This Uncle chose to be a lone voice. You don’t know what it’s like to

be young. You’re always being told what to do. Do this, do that.

LAWRENCE: I, I—
Everything’s for the greater good of the mob …
GORDON: We’re not interested.
He has guts to go against the tide. I hear his line of thinking. Those
GARY: Really? I am. Go on.
fellas on the nowees? We don’t know what they want. Or what they
GORDON: He’s a kid. What does he know? His vote don’t count.
have to offer. Like that tool. Hey, this is the first time out of my

WALTER: Gordon—you made us vote to count his vote. country, being with you mob, and I’ve already learnt so much. What

could I learn from them?

The two men stand chin to chin, one calm, the other livid.

JACOB: Big speech, young fella.

JACOB: Ha, that’s funny. He’s got you there, Gordon. Backfired big time.
GORDON: Some of us are better at actions.
GARY: The vote is five to two. Young fella, explain your logic.
GARY: You understand, young Lawrence, that our vote, it’s a serious thing?
JACOB: He probably likes his five minutes in the overhead sun. His
LAWRENCE: I’m not stupid. I reckon we should just talk about it some
moment around the big fire. With the big boys.
more.
ALBERT: You are mixing your poetic descriptions.
JACOB: How we gunna talk with them goobarras at our throat? [ Pointing to
JACOB: Want a spear in the neck?
WALTER] Tell us that.
GARY: Hey!
ALBERT: Walter, have you considered? What if they have come here to do
JACOB: Okay, okay …
wrong?
GARY: Speak.
JOSEPH: Last time they ‘permanently borrowed’ forty spears.
LAWRENCE: Perhaps there’s some truth in what he says. It’s exciting to be
LAWRENCE: What do you mean?
heard.
JOSEPH: I can’t even explain the concept of ‘permanently borrowed’.
ALBERT: He means they took them. And didn’t put them back. WALTER: Of course they do.

LAWRENCE: True? JACOB: Let’s go back a bit. The whole idea of them being here is a little

ridiculous, isn’t it? Why aren’t they on their own country?

▼▼▼
GORDON: That’s right. That’s true, eh, brother.

JOSEPH: I heard a group of them heading my way, noisily, banging and

JOSEPH: Unless they don’t have a country?
crashing through the bush. Naturally, I wanted to avoid them. I fled,
JACOB: Rubbish! Everyone has a country. We are not born of the sea, we’re
my oysters and mussels still sizzling on the fire. I huddled behind a
born of the land. We belong to the earth. That’s who we are, as human
29
kurrajong tree, watching. Not only did they nick my lunch, cheeky
beings.
30
ones, but they happened upon my mob’s spears, and took the lot!
GORDON: That’s right. They must.
JACOB: Explain that!
ALBERT: They should be home, caring for it. That’s their responsibility. To
WALTER: I don’t know. It doesn’t sound plausible. They must have left
their country.
31
something in return? An exchange for something of equal value?
ALL: Yeah. Yep. That’s right,
JOSEPH: They left a few useless items. Nowhere near the value of those
ALBERT: Except, right now, they’re here …
spears. Which I am still replacing …
GARY: Perhaps they’ll go home. Tomorrow.
32
GORDON: They have nothing we need.
JOSEPH: They’ll be mere specks of dust on the horizon …
JACOB: I like that chopping thing.
ALBERT: We’ll be left with funny stories we tell our grandkids …
GORDON: Okay, that. But nothing else.
LAWRENCE: They left my country. Stayed for three days then they left.
GARY: What if they capture our nowees?
They ignore him—until he sneezes three times.
WALTER: Why would they? Look at theirs!

JOSEPH: You are unwell. Your eyes glow, as does your nose.
LAWRENCE: Good point.

LAWRENCE: My head aches.

JOSEPH: There’s another story. An old Aunty from my mob said they

JOSEPH: Green slides from your nose. Like slime at the edge of a waterhole.
treated her with kindness, that they shared some maugro with her.

JACOB: Too much information!

ALBERT: Had they negotiated to fish in that area? Did they take the

appropriate quota? LAWRENCE sneezes again and again.

JOSEPH: I cannot say.

Enough. You’ve had your fun.
33
JACOB: I heard they took loads and loads. Enough for a corroboree. JOSEPH: He’s mimicking them.

GORDON: They slaughtered stingrays— ALBERT: You have to get quite close to mimic them.

JACOB: I heard the bay was like a summer’s sunset, red with blood.
He looks hard at LAWRENCE.
34
GORDON: —stingrays as old as my father’s father’s father.
You’re not saying something. Nephew.
ALBERT: Don’t those things worry you?
 35
LAWRENCE: Okay … the night they arrived in my country, my way lit by He makes the sound of a horse neighing, and a small dog yapping.

36
the full moon, I took my Uncle’s nowee in their vicinity. I got up quite Then he whistles the tune of ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow.’

close.
GORDON: Fuck this.
GARY: Why the need to get close?
LAWRENCE shuts up.
GORDON: [ looking at JOSEPH] When some people would hide behind a gum
ALBERT: So the nowee …
tree.
LAWRENCE: It’s like an ants’ nest. Goes on and on, layers and layers.
LAWRENCE: I felt it was my duty.

JACOB: Wee-eee … [ An aside] Do they have women on board?

WALTER: You wanted to see them for yourself.

LAWRENCE: Who can tell? Their voices are odd. Soft. ‘Go n’eiri an bother
GARY: Curiosity killed the echidna.
leat.’ [ Irish Gaelic, pronounced: ‘Gah niahrey un bo-her lat’; meaning:
LAWRENCE shrugs.
‘May the road rise with you’, that is, Travel well.]

LAWRENCE: I’d heard stories, rumours.

GARY: Did you see them? Up close?

WALTER: You wanted to make up your own mind.

LAWRENCE: One of them. Leaning over the nowee.

LAWRENCE: Yes.
WALTER: What was he like?

JOSEPH: And?
LAWRENCE: His whole demeanour was hideous. Not swathed in a red cloak.

LAWRENCE: My nowee slid beside theirs. It was like a cliff face. As tall as a This one looked like he had been at war, his cloaks ripped.

fig tree! WALTER: And?

He shivers. He has their attention. LAWRENCE: Setting aside their human shape they differ little from brutes.

The night was still. I could hear snoring. Big mob of snoring. They have stocky bodies, short limbs, narrow heads, thin lips and

wide-open protruding eyes that have a fish-like lightness. They are of a

He mimics the sound. JACOB laughs.
37
very unpleasing aspect, having not one graceful feature in their faces.
JACOB: Sounds like my new wife.
They have no facial hair, their faces were as smooth as a young girl, I
LAWRENCE: And other weird noises … 38
could hardly tell which sex is which.

He mimics a rooster … They all laugh.

JOSEPH is nodding.

GARY: Maybe they sound like that when they …

GARY: Not a flattering picture.

He makes a suggestive movement. The others laugh.

GORDON: No. They’re ugly.

JOSEPH: More. JOSEPH: That’s disrespectful, Gordon.

LAWRENCE mimics a cow … a sheep … then a pig. They all laugh. ALBERT: Did they have anything … unusual? Other technologies?

LAWRENCE: Hmm … The one leaning over … he had a small fire stick that
JACOB: Again!

smelt acrid. Though not as bad as him! He smelt like death.

JOSEPH: Malodorous. ALBERT: If they’re unwell …

LAWRENCE: He kept scratching himself. Scratch, scratch. And the smoking WALTER: What if someone like Grandfather could cure them?

activity … JOSEPH: Whoa! I’m not sure my powers are that great.

LAWRENCE breaks off a twig and demonstrates ‘smoking a pipe’. WALTER: But they might be.

JOSEPH: There are certain herbs, particularly, that help with scratching. I
JOSEPH: Smoking ceremony. Trying to heal himself.

could help with that. Actually, I am certain I could. And our smoking
LAWRENCE: And then he …
ceremonies are fairly advanced.
He sneezes. And sneezes.
LAWRENCE: I’m sure you could too, Grandfather.
JOSEPH: And?
JACOB: You cured that small problem I had.
LAWRENCE: I felt a small spray, like mist from a waterfall.
JOSEPH: That was nothing. The appropriate fern root, chewed.
GARY: Curious, but irrelevant.
JACOB: It wasn’t nothing for me, or the wife.
LAWRENCE: Hey, I’m just explaining.
He laughs.
He is unsettled, feverish.
GARY: Wives.
GORDON: If that fella was in my mob, and we had to travel a long distance,
JOSEPH: How many now, brother?
say to the new season’s hunting ground, sounds like he wouldn’t make
JACOB: Three …
it.
JOSEPH: Wheee.
WALTER: You’d leave him behind.
JACOB: It’s a lot of responsibility. Lotta hard work.
GORDON: Hey! Sometimes, that’s just the way it is. You give him
ALBERT: Sounds like it. For them. Fishing. Catching possums. Collecting
medicine, you bring in a man of higher degree—like Grandfather—to
honey …
extract any foreign matter, but if that fails, the man, woman, or child,

is done for. You know that. You have to leave them behind. They know GARY: With respect … can we get back to those folk?

39
that. The whole mob knows that. JACOB: You started it.

ALBERT: Gentlemen, the point is, one or many of them, are showing signs JOSEPH: Young Lawrence. Were you … alarmed at any time? Did you

of some calamity. What else? tremble in their presence?

LAWRENCE: No.
LAWRENCE groans a little.

JOSEPH: Me neither.
JOSEPH: Are you okay?

GARY: What?
LAWRENCE: The heat. This crazy heat.

JOSEPH shakes his head.

A wind whips up and they shiver.

LAWRENCE: But afterwards, Uncle Raymond beat me for having risked his
JOSEPH: But it’s cooled down now.

nowee. Of course he found out …

 He goes to drink from the coolamon but it is empty. JOSEPH: Okay. That other mob, those other visitors, those ones with the

Water’s run out … different cloaks? [ Mimicking perfectly] ‘Bonjour, au sauvage!’ They

gave me liquid that looked like water, but when you guzzled it …
JOSEPH: They need water! That’s why they’re here.
[ Giggling] ‘Fire! Fire! My mouth’s on fire!’ You wanted to hurl
WALTER: To fill up their coolamons. They fill up their coolamons and they
yourself into the river, your tongue hanging from your mouth like a
leave.
41
blue-tongue. You couldn’t rid yourself of the bitterness.
LAWRENCE: That’s what they did out our way. Filled up their coolamons,
ALBERT: But they drink it by choice?
40
cut grass, chopped down a tree. Then left.
JOSEPH: Eagerly.
JACOB: Bloody hooligans.
JACOB: No accounting for taste.
WALTER: You can die of thirst. That’s what I’m saying.

GORDON snorts.
GARY: Makes sense.
42
JOSEPH: They also shaped my beard and rearranged my hair.
JOSEPH: We have beautiful clear water. While their water is poisoned.

GARY: That’s why you look younger!

GARY: Poor buggers.

JOSEPH: It was harmless fun.

Most, excepting GORDON, get up to look at them.

WALTER: Grandfather, you say they are harmless yet you still vote to repel
GORDON: This is mad.
them. That strikes me as … inconsistent. And if they are sick, you can
WALTER: It’s risky, them being away from their land. For them and their
help them.
families and their country. Why would they do that unless they had to?
There’s a lack of humanity in that. Maybe you’re fine about them
That they had no choice?
landing?
ALBERT: Yeah, but we have a choice.
JOSEPH: I could be persuaded.
WALTER: Yes.
JACOB: Grandfather!
GARY: [ to JOSEPH] How do you know their water is poisoned?
JOSEPH: But then I see the other side too.
JOSEPH: I don’t. But when I drank that other mob’s—
LAWRENCE: Do these things always pan out like this?
LAWRENCE: You interacted with them!
GARY: Sometimes. JACOB: Always! ALBERT: Never.
JOSEPH: I was foolish!
LAWRENCE looks bewildered.
JACOB: You debil debil, Grandfather!

LAWRENCE: Elders! Look! There’s six of them. Six nowees.

JOSEPH looks shame.

They stare out to sea.

GORDON: Tell us!
ALBERT: Six!
▼▼▼
JOSEPH: Six …? A whole mob of them …

GARY: We still outnumber them. All our mobs around the water. Don’t we?
ALBERT: You’re the numbers man, Gary. JOSEPH: I have never heard such an awful sound! Oh, my spirit!

GARY: I reckon that’s right. GARY: The man, he’s twitching! Thrashing about!

They all look out to sea—except GORDON. They stare in horror, mesmerised.

JOSEPH: Wait! The birds have gone silent. JACOB: Still thrashing …

ALBERT: It’s gunna rain. The ants foretold that. They watch. For a long time …

JOSEPH: They were frenzied. ALBERT: He’s dead.

GARY: We should shelter … LAWRENCE: Finally.

It is very quiet. Suddenly, there is a crack of lightning, and the sound JOSEPH: Dead?

of rain. LAWRENCE: He hangs like a skun animal.

WALTER: They’re restless. JOSEPH: In your wildest thoughts, can you ever think of such a thing?

43
ALBERT: The storm? GARY: The horror.

LAWRENCE: No. Look.

Silence.

JOSEPH: What are they doing?

GORDON: [ to WALTER] You want that to happen to us? We let them on

JOSEPH: A ceremony?
shore, they might do that to us? Look how that man swings, lifeless.

There are the sounds of drums and a fife playing. They listen … Look! Look! Look! It’s barbaric.

(‘The Rogue’s March’)* ALBERT: Explain that, Walter.

GARY: How many are there? WALTER shakes his head.

LAWRENCE: I tried to tell you!

WALTER: I can’t.

Pause as they stare out towards the sea. JOSEPH: Could we teach them … other ways?

JOSEPH: What going on? GORDON: They should be gone. They’re brutes.

GARY: There’s a structure like a tree, with a twisted rope. Is it stringybark? ALBERT: Are they cracking under some pressure?

WALTER: Maybe being on those nowees. Maybe they’re bad camps. They
They watch, alarmed. GORDON rises to join them.

look like they have terrible lives.

JACOB: And a man, struggling.
JOSEPH: It’s making them go wombah. Poor things.
LAWRENCE: They’re putting the rope around his neck! Oh. Oh …
ALBERT: The one who swung, he probably transgressed. So they punished
JOSEPH: What?
him.
ALBERT: They’re pulling up the rope and …
WALTER: It’s true that when people don’t follow lore, there’s
There is a very faint but bloodcurdling wail.
consequences.
JACOB: This mob—let’s say those fellas have no country and they have no JOSEPH: But he had no chance to learn his lesson.

Elders. We can’t help that. We can’t help it that those nowees are bad JACOB: He should’ve been speared. Nothing like a nice clean spearing.

camps. A breeding ground for people who don’t follow lore.

GORDON: You said it. Transgressors should be speared.

GORDON: Let them swing on the end of a rope. So what? As long as they
JOSEPH: Hey! I was begat from a transgressor. My father, he married wrong
don’t do that to my mob.
skin. Perhaps I am tainted with his sin?
WALTER: So what? Are you their executioner?
GARY: It wasn’t meant personally.

GORDON: I could be!

JOSEPH: It sounds personal.

WALTER: Perhaps you’d like to be the one on the end of that rope, pulling it
ALBERT: Grandfather, he was referring to the situation, that’s all.
tighter.
JOSEPH: I feel sorry for them. When we have so much. Our lives are so
GORDON: Are you gammon me? Hand me that rope and I’d yank it tight! 44
much better.
WALTER: I pity you.
JACOB: You go and share your kangaroo tail with them. Go ahead.
GORDON: I’d stop right there …
JOSEPH stares at him, then puts his hand up.
WALTER: I can’t imagine wanting to have them swinging from a rope!
JOSEPH: I’m changing my vote—
GORDON: Be quiet!
JACOB: How the wind just turns direction, just like—that!
WALTER: You’re the brute.
JOSEPH: The wind does change direction. See, now it’s onshore.
GORDON: Be quiet!
JACOB: Yeah, and I smell their stench!
WALTER: You want to see each and every one of them wither away. Perhaps
GARY: Let him speak! Grandfather …
out of some hatred for your fellow man?
JOSEPH: It’s like Walter says—everyone should be given a chance. No
▼▼▼
matter where they come from.

GORDON grabs his spear and raises it at WALTER, but two of the others leap GARY: Are you sure?

up and put him and his arm away. He fights them as WALTER watches JOSEPH: I think so. Yes.

calmly. ALBERT: You need to be certain.

JOSEPH: Excuse me—I am. And …

GORDON: Let me at him. I’ll spear him. I’ll spear him!

WALTER: Yes?
WALTER: That’s what you want? To spear me?

JOSEPH: I reckon I can help with their scratching.

GORDON is pent-up with anger. JACOB tries to sooth him.

LAWRENCE: Good for you, Grandfather!

JACOB: He’s trying to rile you, cuz. He’s poking around the ants’ nest.
GORDON: [ to WALTER] You’ve got a mob of tender-hearted old women rapt
Uncomfortable pause.
and hanging off each word. Not me. [ To ALL] They’re no good!

ALBERT: If he was a transgressor, then they dealt with him.

They’ve got to be sent on their way. We’re letting him manipulate us.
 Silently they take their seats. LAWRENCE sneezes. Let’s vote—

ALL: Yes.
GARY: What’s happening? Why are we behaving like uninitiated men here?

JACOB: Out in the open.

ALBERT: Like fools.

GORDON: Then we know everyone’s position.

JACOB: Why are we fighting each other? And not them?

GARY: Any objections?

GARY: Gordon, in particular, you disappoint me—

ALL: No.
GORDON: Shut up. Fucking shut up.

GARY: Lawrence?
GARY: You finished? … We need to take our duty seriously. We have

LAWRENCE: We allow them to land.

nothing to gain or lose personally by our verdict. It’s for the collective

good that we make decisions. GARY: Gordon?

JACOB: It’s raining. The bark for my nowee will warp. And my new wife … GORDON: Get rid of them. Forever.

GARY: Shut up about your new wife! GARY: Albert?

JACOB: You still sore about that? ALBERT: Shoo them away.

GARY: Well, we all know why you are so keen on battle, Jacob. GARY: Jacob?

JOSEPH: What? JACOB: Good riddance.

ALBERT: His new wife. She was promised to brother Gary. But brother GARY: Grandfather?

Jacob— JOSEPH: I’m okay to let them land. I want to help the poor things. And you,

JACOB: All’s fair when you go to battle! When you win, you get the spoils. Gary?

ALBERT: Then we better be sure that they don’t win. Ever. GARY: Well …

No-one knows what to do. ALBERT: You get everyone else to say their bit but we don’t know what you

think.
LAWRENCE: Anyone want a lilly pilly?

GARY: Okay. They are breaking the lore. But does that mean we should?
GORDON: Come on!
Then they’ve won before even one spear has been thrown.
WALTER: Yes, thank you, Lawrence.
WALTER: That’s what I was talking about. If we have always welcomed
LAWRENCE throws a lilly pilly berry over.
visitors, then we should now.

LAWRENCE: We should vote again, Mr Chair.

ALBERT: Whatever the consequences?

GORDON: Now you got the young fella running the show. You’re hopeless,
WALTER: I don’t know what the consequences will be. Nor do you. But I

Gary.
know our lore. Our protocols.

GARY: Shut up!

ALBERT: Your vote then, brother?

Beat. GARY: I’m voting that we welcome them. As visitors to our shore.
LAWRENCE: He’s flipped! LAWRENCE: Ten …

GARY: We don’t even know if they will land. They could turn around by JOSEPH: Ten …

sunset and sail away. But if they land, we welcome them. Also, I’m
▼▼▼
being pragmatic. There are more of them than us. I don’t want to start

something we can’t finish. LAWRENCE: [ to JOSEPH] Grandfather?

GORDON: That’s the coward’s way out! JOSEPH: Yes?

ALBERT: Or good diplomacy? LAWRENCE: I feel an unusual sensation. So hot.

GORDON: Unbelievable! There will be bad consequences! I tell you! JOSEPH: But it’s cool now.

GARY: The vote is now: four to allow to land, three to repel. GARY: Albert? Give us your thoughts. Your reasons.

ALBERT: There is one story that concerns me. From eighteen summers ago.
GORDON stands.

A senior woman, she told me that a mob, the cloaked ones, had
GORDON: I’m signalling my mob right now. We will take up arms against
threatened the women and children, and tried to poison them.
them. There’s no point talking anymore.
GORDON: That’s what I am saying! We are putting our women’s lives at
ALBERT: Wait! [ To GORDON] What bad consequences? What you mean?
risk.
GORDON: What if they stay? Forever?
WALTER: Gordon, you speak of their violence. Often.

GARY is exasperated.
LAWRENCE: Maybe he’s the violent one? Is that’s what you’re thinking?

GARY: Visitors don’t stay. That’s why they’re visitors. Walter? ALBERT: You really have found your voice, haven’t you, boy?

WALTER: Of course they’ll leave. Folk have come here on their nowees LAWRENCE: Have I?

before. Coming, going, sometimes trading, but always leaving

But he’s sick.
eventually. We have long memories, eh. We know their visits are a
GARY: Everyone! Let Albert speak.
passing event, a fleeting encounter. We are still here and will be

ALBERT: So, they snuck up on a group of women and children who were
forever. Do you really think that just because they come ashore this

one time that we might fade into nothingness, like smoke into the sky? gathered to prepare an evening meal.

GORDON gives him a slow clap. Faint echoes of an old English dirge and laughter.

GORDON: Fancy words. The children were terrified. They were clinging to their mothers’

breasts. Worse, the visitors had slaughtered two of the clan’s totems,
ALBERT: There’s one difference with this lot.
45
the black swan, and they flung them at the women’s feet.
WALTER: What?
WALTER: What did she do?
ALBERT: There’s more of them.
ALBERT: She said she couldn’t do anything. She was a distance away, in a
JOSEPH: How many now?
cave, attending to a woman who had just birthed.
They look.
 ▼▼▼ GARY: Flip-flopping.

GORDON: They killed a totem!

JOSEPH squints at the sun.

WALTER: They don’t know lore.

JOSEPH: What time of day is it?
JOSEPH: They can learn.
GARY: The sun is almost set.
GORDON: You don’t know that.
JOSEPH: You don’t suppose we could come back tomorrow? There is a man
WALTER: No. But given they left his country … [ pointing to LAWRENCE] is
I must cure.
there any real risk they will stay? Albert?
ALBERT: [ to JOSEPH] Grandfather—can’t you see where the sun is in the
GARY: What’s your decision?
sky?
ALBERT: At this moment, we can’t prove they’re a threat. We can’t prove
JOSEPH: I’m old.
they’ll stay more than three sunrises. So … I conclude that we should
GORDON: Why are we talking about an old man’s sight? This is an
treat them with equanimity and grace. Welcome.
emergency.
GORDON: Fuck that—
GARY: [ under his breath] Shut up already.
JOSEPH: Whoa—
ALBERT: The woman who testified? She’s as old as Grandfather here.
GORDON: C’mon, men—we bring in our warriors. We go to war!
JACOB: Older.
LAWRENCE: Whoa—
ALBERT: Aunty could barely see …
They all look at WALTER.
JACOB: She mistook me for my cousin, and that was close up.

There’s eleven …
ALBERT: That’s right. She was as old as the stars in the night sky.
GARY: And the vote is five to welcome them and two to repel—
WALTER: Perhaps what she saw wasn’t a threat after all. Perhaps it was
WALTER: Actually—
something else?

GORDON: We should be spearing them!

JOSEPH: Maybe a performance—that bonjour mob, they played at fighting

GARY: We’re stuck.

with us. When my mob retreated and threw our spears at their feet as a

warning, that lot laughed. ALBERT: We’re not going to agree.

WALTER: Albert, are you still set in your opinion? JACOB: Look. It’s his country—

ALBERT: Of course I am!

He points at GORDON, then at the others in turn.

Beat.
—not your country. Not your country. Not your country. Not your
46
I’m vacillating. country. Not your country. We should be behind him!

LAWRENCE: What’s that? LAWRENCE: Grandfather …

▼▼▼ JOSEPH: What is it, Lawrence?

LAWRENCE: Grandfather, can I lay down? JACOB: I need to go home. I miss my country. They wanna go home too.

GARY: They have smaller nowees. A whole mob of them … This is not their country. They won’t stay. I’m betting my life on it.

Even the young fella here wants to go home. See?

JACOB: I’m changing my vote.

GORDON: What? What?! LAWRENCE nods weakly. And they register that he is unwell. JOSEPH

kneels beside LAWRENCE and cools his forehead.

JACOB: You heard me. I’m over it. We’ve wasted too much time. All this

yabba yabba. It’s too late to do anything. GORDON: Jacob. Our alliance. Our mobs.

GARY: That’s not a decision. That’s putting your shield down. JACOB: That mob’ll leave the day after next—like they did Bay mob’s

LAWRENCE lies down, sick. The others barely register. country—and we’ll still have an alliance.

GARY: The vote is six to one. Only one vote to repel.

ALBERT: A minute ago you said you were sure about your vote. Now you
GORDON: You, lot are gullible! These people will betray us. We saw how
have changed it—
they just kill someone for entertainment—with our own eyes! We’ve
GORDON: For convenience’s sake? Or what? What kind of a man are you?
heard how they go out in groups of three or four and bang! someone is
GARY: For once I agree with Gordon.
dead. That’s how they are. Why can’t you see it?
JACOB: Oi! Don’t talk like that to me.
WALTER: Actually, I didn’t vote in the last round.
GARY: If you vote to repel them, do it because you are convinced that they
JACOB: Of course you did.
are not worthy of our assistance. Or mean harm to us. If you believe
GARY: You want to welcome them.
they are worthy, or harmless, then vote that way. Don’t be gutless.
WALTER: Except the stakes are high … maybe they’re very high.
JACOB: Watch it—
JACOB: He’s gunna change his mind! After all this!
GARY: Do we send them away or allow them to land?
LAWRENCE: He’s vacillating?
JACOB: Like I said. Land.
JOSEPH: No!
GARY: Give us your reason.
ALBERT: No! You can’t!
JACOB: Why should I?
GARY: I agree! You made all the arguments. You said they could be taught.
GARY. We need to understand.
That they just didn’t have the leadership.
▼▼▼
JACOB: And that they have tools that might be useful.

JACOB: Maybe … maybe they’re not completely wee-ree—bad. They JOSEPH: Though I still don’t know what we would do with the extra time

might look hideous, they might be flawed. Guess what, so am I. But we save.

the main reason is—they are not going to stay. The pull of your own JACOB: And that they won’t stay. They come, they go, those shiny ones.

country is too strong. That’s what I am gambling on. GARY: Like a flash summer storm, over in no time.

LAWRENCE: Unc, I need to go home …

JOSEPH: And you said we could cure them of any malady.
ALBERT: And that we needed to stick to our way of doing things. GARY: Everyone agrees but you.

WALTER: Mostly, you said those things. Not me. GORDON: You’re not intimidating me! I’m entitled to my opinion!

ALBERT: But you were the one who turned us upside down in our thinking. They all watch him silently.

GARY: [ to LAWRENCE] Lawrence, the one on the nowee, when you were up
They’re no good. There’s not a one of ’em who’s any good. They will

close, did he seem dangerous? hurt us. They will trample our land. They will poison us with their

LAWRENCE goes to speak, but coughs. JOSEPH bends down to listen. liquid. They will cut down our trees and muddy our water and take too

many fish. They will hurt our beloved country.

JOSEPH: He said they’re harmless.
If we get our warriors together … if we march down there now …
ALBERT: You encouraged us to talk, and what everyone said convinced the
JOSEPH: You’re all alone, brother.
rest of us not to be afraid—

Tense pause.
GORDON: I’m not afraid—

WALTER: Everyone has told their story but Gordon.

ALBERT: If we’re not afraid, then there’s no reason to repel them. And if we

are not repelling them— GARY: There’s no time for stories!

WALTER: I understand—I led you in a certain way. WALTER: We have time.

ALBERT: —then we should welcome them. JOSEPH leaves LAWRENCE’s side and goes up to GORDON and pokes

WALTER: But we need to be sure. That what we are doing is choosing. Is him in the chest.

this a choice we make?

▼▼▼
GORDON: I’m not welcoming them. I’m not.

JOSEPH: Gordon, what’s going on? You’re not telling us something. What
Now ALBERT sneezes, violently.
is it?
Sound of a big splash.
GORDON hangs his head.
GARY: Look, look, a small nowee is in the water!
GORDON: I don’t have words.
They look out to sea, panicking.
JOSEPH: Just try.

JOSEPH: We need to decide!

GORDON: The goorabeera. My father.

JACOB: I’m sick of this. I’m going home.

GARY: We’ve heard that story. We’re going around in circles.

He stands up, but WALTER gestures for him to sit. He does. WALTER: Listen to him.

ALBERT: We should let their women and children come ashore anyway. ALBERT silently passes him the message stick.

GARY: And if he’s not going to welcome them, who will? Grandfather?
GORDON: I’m ten summers old. A kid with scabby knees. When the nowees

GORDON: No! I forbid you! This is my country.

arrive, the Elders choose my father to greet them. He’s dignified. He

LAWRENCE: I’m not up to fighting … marches down to the shore.

 I’m so proud of him. I follow, hiding behind trees. He would have JOSEPH: Gordon, you are grieving.

flogged me for disobeying him. He wanted me to be safe. But I WALTER: Sorry business.

wanted to see him welcome these aliens.

GARY: We all feel it.
He steps towards them. He puts down his spear. Uncle Raymond is
GORDON: Fellas, if I was like a spear ready to fly … Don’t take it
by his side. And the goorabeera rings out! Raymond flees. Coward!
personally, okay?
And I put my hand on my mouth, to stop myself from crying out!
JOSEPH: Grief has fuelled your anger.
My father steps forward again, all alone. I am shaking. They are but
JACOB: Brother. We understand.
one man’s length away from him. He begins …

‘This is my country. GARY: We’re with you—

My father’s country. JOSEPH: Look. They are so close now I can see them.

My father’s father’s country.

ALBERT: Men. We know what to do. Call your clans in. Your warriors.
I know its patterns, its season …’
They all begin to whistle up their troops.
Then the goorabeera rings out again.
WALTER: We follow Gordon’s plan. My men will come up over from the
And something strikes him.

Bleeding, he takes another steps towards them. south.

And they laugh. They mock him. JOSEPH: They are almost at the beach.

I see my father hurt.

They adorn themselves with their kangaroo pelts. They step forward
I see the look of superiority in their eyes. Like they know they can
holding their spears, all except LAWRENCE.

defeat us.
ALBERT: Ready, men?
Soon after they leave and he returns to the mob.
WALTER: Let’s go.
But within days my strong, brave father withers away. I sit with

GARY: Wait! Meeting adjourned.

him.

GORDON looks over at JOSEPH, who is caring for LAWRENCE in the ▼▼▼
same way.
They step forward again, their spears are raised, ready to charge.

▼▼▼
GORDON: Wait.

GORDON: I tell him I had disobeyed him and suggest he flog me.
This is my country.

He’s too weak. He dies. My sovereignty.

And all I could do is throw stones … Stand behind a tree and throw My responsibility.

stones like a little boy … I’m not that little boy now. I am my father’s son. I finish what he began.

The men gather around GORDON, comforting him as though the grief He puts down his spear. He steps forward.

is raw. It is.
[ Towards the boats] This is my country.
 My father’s country.
Glossary of Aboriginal words
I know its patterns, its seasons, its soils, the texture of them, the
blue tongue - type of lizard
colours, the particular shade of green of the grass the patyegarang
cuz - cousin (but not always by blood)

nibbles after a fire has swept through, at dusk, when the patyegarang gadi - country (in the area around Sydney)

is most hungry, and most likely to be speared. gammon - joking, pretend

goorabeera - musket
I know its secret springs where a thirst can be quenched even in the
illalong - shield
driest season.
jiliwa - toilet
I know my country’s smells. The exact scent of leaf litter where
lily pilly - fruit of lily pilly tree

bulbs of the chocolate lily hide under moss, though it is not my job to mago - axe

collect them. mari - very big

maugro - fish
And where the hardest flint is to be found. For tools, for trading.
myall - stranger
Its rivers are my blood, its rocky outcrops my bones, its winds are
nowee - boat
my breath as my lungs fill and empty. It is me.
patyegarang - grey kangaroo

When I welcome others, I honour my country. tidda - sister, girl

We ask this, and this only. warra warra wai - go away

wee-ree - bad
While you walk on this country that you care for the land.
wombah - crazy
And that you look after the children of this land.

This is my country and my son’s country.

In honour of my father, I welcome you to country.

ALL: Ngaya gawi niya

Gulya guwagu yana ngurra wu winjara njurra

Gay ngubaty gurung nula ngurra wu

Warra mi yana allowah.

GORDON stands proudly. The other men stand behind him.

THE END

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uap1EF4w9RY

Played when undesirables, both military and civilian, were drummed out of camp, or on

their way to punishment. Its origins are uncertain, but it probably dates to the early 18th

century.
 with Dampier’s unflattering description of Aboriginal people, now
Introduction to Annotations
directed towards the invaders.
The Visitors is a re-imagining, from my perspective as a First Nations
Maori academic Linda Tuhiwai Smith posits that the creation of new
woman, of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788—the beginning of the
Indigenous stories ‘contribute to a collective story’ that works to restore
colonisation of Australia by the English. Our knowledge of the events of
the place of Indigenous peoples:
1788 is sourced from the letters, journals and books of the colonisers and
The story and the story teller both serve to connect the past with
explorers: Anglo (white) and men. In contrast, Aboriginal knowledge
the future, one generation with the other, the land with the people
transfer—our history—was, and in many cases still is, an oral one and one
ii
and the people with the story.
that has not been preserved to the same degree.

What stories about the events of 1788 have failed, then, to be told?
I hope that is what I have been able to achieve with The Visitors. I believe
What perspectives have been overlooked or dismissed? Black American
that there is no exclusively ‘white’ history of Australia—when we—First
playwright Suzan Lori-Parks asserts that, when Black histories have not
Nations people—have always been here. There is no ‘Black’ history of
been recorded, it is up to Black playwrights to seek them out, and re-
Australia in the last 240-plus years, either. We are each other’s shadows.
assemble the fragments into our own narratives:
To make sense of our shared history, we need to go back to the very

A play is a blueprint of an event: a way of creating and rewriting beginning.

history through the medium of literature. Since history is a

Jane Harrison
recorded or remembered event, theatre, for me, is the perfect place

to ‘make’ history—that is, because so much of African-American i

Suzan-Lori Parks: The America Play and Other Works. New York: Theater Communications

Group Inc. 1995.

history has been unrecorded, dismembered, washed out, one of my
ii
Linda Tuhiwai Smith: Decolonizing Methodologies Research and Indigenous Peoples.
tasks as a playwright is to—through literature and the special
University of Otago Press. 1999.
strange relationship between theatre and real-life—locate the

ancestral burial ground, dig for bones, find bones, hear the bones
i
sing, write it down …

In fleshing out this bricolage of a play, I scoured many journals, books and

letters written by the early colonisers and explorers. Many historical facts

are alluded to, or repurposed, throughout the script, some blatantly, and

others more subtlety. In this publication of the play script I have annotated

only a few. Mostly I have referenced first-hand accounts by (white, male)

writers from the era, so that my ‘version’ of history cannot be easily

dismissed. Less frequently, I have drawn on the research of contemporary

historians. Either way, I have read between the lines—the subtext, if you

like. Sometimes I have turned their withering gaze back on them, such as
 messengers travelling through foreign country.” [Karskens 2009 42]
Annotations
11 “Many of their warriors, or distinguished men, we observed to be painted in stripes across

the breast and back, which at some little distance appears not unlike our soldiers’ cross
1 “Several women appeared at a distance, but we could not prevail on the men to bring them
belts.” [White 1790]
near us.” [Bradley 1802]

12 “We put the boats onshore [in Botany Bay] near where we observed a group of the Natives
2 “I have frequently seen the men indulge at the expense of the weaker vessel, the women,
… We then made signs that we wanted water, when they pointed round the point on which
who have been forced to sit in their canoe, exposed to the fervour of the mid-day sun, hour
they stood … they directed us by pointing to a very fine stream of water.” [King 1793 in
after hour … for without a sufficient quantity to make a meal for their tyrants, who were
Cobley 1962 19]
lying asleep at their ease, they would meet but a rude reception on their landing.” [Collins

1798] 13 “… after receiving each a hatchet [of the use of which the eldest instantly and curiously

showed his knowledge, by turning up his foot, and sharpening a piece of wood on the sole
“Women line-fish from small canoes while the men fish with spears and usually on shore.
with the hatchet] took their leave …” [Collins 1798]
Early colonists and later anthropologists agree that most of the food is gathered by women.”

[Karskens 2009 405–406] 14 “… we fell in with a large party of natives … they were armed with spears and stone

hatchets. One of the latter they very earnestly wished to exchange for one of ours.” [White
3 “Love and war seemed his [Baneelon’s] favourite pursuits …” [Tench 1793 in Flannery
1790]
1996 8]

“The procuring of food really seems to be but a secondary business with them [the men]; 15 “… many of the Trees, especially the Palms, were cut steps of about 3 or 4 feet asunder for

the management of the spear and the shield, dexterity in throwing the various clubs they have the conveniency of Climbing them.” [Cook 1768–1771]

in use among them, agility in either attacking or defending … appearing to rank first among
16 “I advanced before them unarmed, presenting some beads and ribbands.” [King 1793 in
their concerns in life.” [Collins 1798]
Flannery 1999 44]

4 “The dialect spoken by the natives at Sydney not only differs entirely from that left us by
17 “… [Lieutenant King] produced his handkerchief and tied it on one of the women ‘where
Captain Cook of the people with whom he had intercourse … people living at the distance
Eve did the Fig Leaf’; the natives then set up another very great shout.’’ [Hughes 1987 85]
of only fifty or sixty miles should call the sun and moon by different names; such,
18 “… the gunner of the Supply [was] at some little distance, with a gun in his hand, an
however, was the fact. In an excursion to the banks of the Hawkesbury, accompanied by
instrument of death, against which they entertain an insuperable aversion …” [White 1790]
two Sydney natives, we first discovered this difference; but our companions conversed with
19 “The report of the gun frightened them very much.” [White 1790]
the river natives without any apparent difficulty, each understanding or comprehending the

other.” [Collins 1798] 20 “… as soon as we aproachd the rocks two of the men came down upon them … They calld

to us very loud in a harsh sounding Language … in all appearance resolvd to dispute our
5 “… several parties of the natives, as they proceeded along the coast, who all greeted them
landing to the utmost tho they were but two and we 30 or 40 at least … They remaind
in the same words, and in the same tone of vociferation, shouting every where ‘Warra,
resolute so a musquet was fird over them, the Effect of which was that the Youngest of the
warra, warra’ words which, by the gestures that accompanied them, could not be
two dropd a bundle of lances on the rock at the instant in which he heard the report; he
interpreted into invitations to land, or expressions of welcome …” [Collins 1798]
however snatchd them up again and both renewd their threats and opposition. A Musquet
6 “The canoe is made of the bark taken off a large tree of the length they want to make the
loaded with small shot was now fird at the Eldest of the two who was about 40 yards from
canoe, which is gathered up at each end and secured by a lashing of strong vine which runs
the boat; it struck him on the legs but he minded it very little so another was immediately
amongst the underbrush.” [Bradley 1802]
fird at him …” [Banks 1768–1771]

7 “The laboratory and sick tents were erected, and, I am sorry to say, were soon filled with
21 “[An Aboriginal man] stuck the end of his shield in the sand … I fired a pistol ball through
patients afflicted with the true camp dysentery and the scurvy. More pitiable objects were
it. The explosion frightened him … on my putting the pistol into my pocket he took up the
perhaps never seen.” [White 1790]
shield, and appeared to be much surprised at finding it perforated.” [White 1790]

8 “… they [Aboriginal men] laughed at and mocked the Europeans for their clumsiness and
22 “That Carstensz in 1623 and Governor Phillip more than 160 years later, should seek to
stupidity in the bush.” [Flannery 1996 8]
establish a relationship with the people through kidnapping is evidence of the gulf in

9 “[After initiation] they were received into the class of men; were privileged to wield the understanding between the races. It also indicates a callous disregard for the human rights

spear and the club, and to oppose their persons in combat.” [Collins 1798] of the inhabitants once these conflicted with the aims of Europeans.’ [Willey 1979 19]

10 “The Sydney region people had established trade relations and routes between the coast 23 “The Governor’s plan with respect to the natives was, if possible, to cultivate an

and inland and beyond … News and ideas from distant places could arrive with lone acquaintance with them, without their having an idea of our great superiority over them …”
 [Bradley in Cobley 1962 42] troublesome here that no fanning will keep them from coming to one’s face … so that, from

their infancy, being thus annoyed with these insects, they do never open their eyes as other
24 “In the exercise of this weapon [spear] they are very expert. I have seen them strike with
people do; and therefore they cannot see far, unless they hold up their heads as if they were
certainty at the distance of seventy measured yards. They are thrown with great force, and
looking at somewhat over them. They have great bottle-noses, pretty full lips and wide
where they are barbed are very formidable instruments.” [Collins 1798]
mouths, the two fore-teeth of their upper jaw are wanting in all of them, men and women,
“… a spear was thrown at the people by some of the natives, who were lurking behind the
old and young: neither have they any beards. They are long-visaged, and of a very
trees and rocks. It was hurled with such force, that it flew a considerable way over the boat,
unpleasing aspect, having no one graceful feature in their faces. Their hair is black, short,
although we were between thirty and forty yards from the shore.” [White 1790]
and curled, like that of the negroes; and not long and lank … the colour of their skins, both
25 “Some of these unhappy people [convicts] died after the ships came into the harbour,
of their faces and the rest of their body, is coal black, like that of the negroes of guinea.”
before they could be taken on shore—part of these had been thrown into the harbour …”
[Dampier 1697]
[Johnson 1790 in Flannery 1999 100]
38 “They wanted to know of what sex we were, which they explained by pointing to where it
26 “The inhabitants of this country are the miserablest people in the world … who have no
was distinguishable. As they took us for women, not having our beard grown …” [King in
houses and skin garments, sheep, poultry, and fruits of the earth, ostrich eggs, etc …”
Cobley 1962 19]
[Dampier 1697]
39 “… The Iora respected their old men as repositories of tribal wisdom and religious
“… the inhabitants, too, are the most wretched and poorest creatures that I have ever seen
knowledge, but the tribe would not hamper its mobility, essential for nomadic survival, by
in my age or time …” [Carstensz 1623 in Willey 1979 19]
keeping the old and infirm alive after their teeth had gone and their joints had seized up.”
27 “… they [Aboriginal people] had excellent teeth— unlike the white invaders.” [Hughes
[Hughes 1987 17]
1987 14]
40 “As we sailed into the bay, [Botany] some of the natives were on the shore, looking with
28 “They had not been landed more than an hour … but their came on the most violent storm
seeming attention at such large moving bodies coming amongst them. In the evening the
of thunder, lightning and rain I ever saw. The lightening was incessant during the whole
boats were permitted to land on the north side, in order to get water and grass for the little
night and I never heard it rain faster.” [Smyth 1787–1789 in Flannery 1999 60]
stock we had remaining.” [White 1790]

29 “… 6 small fires near the Shore, and mussels roasting upon them, and a few Oysters laying
41 “… spirits they could never be brought to taste a second time.” [Tench 1793 in Flannery
near … We tasted of their Cheer, and left them in return Strings of beads, etc …” [Cook
1996 54]
1768–1771]
42 “Some of the natives came along-side the Sirius, and made signs to have their beards taken
30 “A quantity of Darts lay about the Hutts; these we took away with us.” [Cook 1768–1771]
off. One of them patiently, and without fear or distrust, underwent the operation from the

31 “The English picked up the Eora’s weapons, left little piles of nails in return, and rowed ship’s barber, and seemed much delighted with it.” [White 1790]

away again.” [Karskens 2009 35]

43 “… he [Frances Morgan] was hung there, exhibiting an object of much terror … to the

32 “We likewise presented them with a looking-glass, but this they received with indifference, natives his appearance was so frightful— his clothing shaking in the wind, and the creaking

and seemed to hold in no kind of estimation.” [White 1790] of his irons …” [Collins 1798 in Flannery 1999 148]

“ … neither did they seem to admire anything that we had.” [Dampier in Willey 1979 23]
44 “From what I have said of the Natives of New Holland they may appear to some to be the

33 “Fish enough was sometimes taken to supply about two hundred persons …” [Collins most wretched People upon Earth; but in reality they are far more happier than we

1798] Europeans, being wholy unacquainted not only with the Superfluous, but with the

34 Three sting-rays were taken this month, two of which weighed each about three hundred necessary Conveniences so much sought after in Europe; they are happy in not knowing

weight, and were distributed amongst the [settler] people.” [Collins 1798] the use of them. They live in a Tranquility which is not disturbed by the Inequality of

Condition. The earth and Sea of their own accord furnishes them with all things necessary
35 “Stock: 1 Stallion 2 Bulls 19 Goats 5 Rabbits 35 Ducks 3 Mares 5 Cows 49 Hogs 18
for Life. They covet not Magnificient Houses, Household-stuff, etc.; they live in a Warm
Turkeys 122 Fowls 3 Colts 29 Sheep 25 Pigs 29 Geese 87 Chickens …” [Collins 1798]
and fine Climate, and enjoy every wholesome Air … in short, they seem’d to set no Value
36 “… one of the gentlemen with me sung some songs; and when he had done, the females in
upon anything we gave them, nor would they ever part with anything of their own for any
the canoes either sung one of their own songs, or imitated him, in which they succeeded
one Article we could offer them. This, in my opinion, Argues that they think themselves
beyond conception. Any thing spoken by us they most accurately recited …” [White 1790]
provided with all the necessarys of Life …” [Cook 1768-1771]

37 “… setting aside their human shape, they differ but little from brutes. they are tall, straight-
45 “[One of the Midshipmen] gave them a bird he had Shott, which they would not Touch;
bodied and thin, with small, long limbs. they have great heads, round foreheads, and great
neither did they speak one word, but seem’d to be much frightned.” [Cook 1768-1771]
brows. Their eye-lids are always half closed, to keep the flies out of their yes, they being so
46 “Gradually it dawned on the First Fleet officers that they had not encountered one people,

but a constellation of peoples, each with their own country …” [Karskens 2009 37]
References

“… the ‘principal business’ of the settlers … was ‘the clearing of Land, cutting, Grubbing
Banks, Joseph. 1768–1771. The Endeavour Journal of Sir Joseph Banks. Project Gutenberg
and burning down Trees …’” [Bonyhady 2000 79]
Australia. 2005.
“… one of the transports … attempted to land in one of the coves at the lower part of the
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harbour, but were prevented, and driven off with stones by the natives …” [Collins 1798]
Bonyhady, Tim. 2000. The Colonial Earth . Melbourne: Melbourne University Press.

Bradley, William. 1802. William Bradley’s Voyage to New South Wales. Project Gutenberg

Australia. 2019.

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Cobley, John. 1962. Sydney Cove 1788: The first year of the Settlement of Australia. Great

Britain: Hodder and Stoughton.

Collins, David. 1798. An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Vol. 1. Project

Gutenberg Australia. 2004.

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Collins, David. 1802. An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Vol. 2. Project

Gutenberg Australia.

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Cook, James. 1768–1771. Captain Cook’s Journal First Voyage . Project Gutenberg Australia.

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Dampier, William. 1697. A New Voyage round the World . Project Gutenberg Australia. 2005.

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Flannery, Tim. 1996. Watkin Tench 1788 . Melbourne: Text Publishing.

Hughes, Robert. 1987. The Fatal Shore . London: Collins Harvill.

Karskens, Grace. 2009. The Colony: a history of early Sydney . Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin.

White, John. 1790. Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales. London: J. Debrett.

Willey, Keith. 1979. When the Sky Fell Down: the destruction of the tribes of the Sydney

region . Sydney: Collins.

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