There was an Elder in
Normanton who I held in Great respect. His dream was to get a station up and running for the
young fellows. His idea was if he could get them out of town and away from the drink, there would be hope for his race.
Delta Downs was the property he started negotiating on, the
Gilbert river mouth is within this property and it is now known as Morr Morr pastoral Co. It is now run by the local indigenous people.
Roll Gilbert passed away in 1990 just as his dream was starting to unroll, I sat by his bed in his last hours and he as always had a big smile on his face. I asked if he was going and he gave me a nod and another big smile. I was able to say goodbye and that picture will remain with me always.
Shortly after I felt I should put something to paper as to remember this special person, following is a poem that is still being developed. I wrote the first verse in B.E. 148 (1991), 2nd verse B.E. 154 (1997), 3RD Verse in B.E.155 (1998) and verse 4 is rolling off the pen soon.
Link to Biography of Rolly GilbertSo here it is:-
Dreamtime Part 1
Old man Elder sitting by the fire, drinking billy tea,
reflecting on bygone years and His races history.
There's a lump in his throat and tears in his eyes,
as he gazes through the fire, knowing of his cultures demise.
Young men sitting by the fire, drinking alcohol,
minds poisoned by drink, no longer able to be told.
Old man Elder, his heart begins to tear,
unable to tell those men of His great despair.
The tongues of flame leap high, the fire crackles,
Old man tilts his head to the ground, weary of the battle.
When will these men turn back to their Lord
and give up the drink on their own accord?
Old man jumps to His feet,
While there is life in Him, he won't be beat.
He starts dancing stories from His Dreamtime,
His feet pound the dusty soil, His voice echoes in rhyme.
Young men in awe, drop their alcohol,
witnessing the power of the dance and the story being told.
They rise, slowly to their feet,
joining the old man and adding to the beat.
Old man Elder smiles, with wisdom in His eyes,
He knows they stand a chance, while the culture is alive.
Sun slowly rising like a flame across the sky,
it's up to the
young men now, if the culture is not to die.
Old man Elder and
young men, sitting by the fire drinking billy tea,
they've come of age, learning about their culture and history.
A Bristow-Stagg B.E. 148 (1991)
Dreamtime Part II
Old man Elder has passed away,
No longer able to have His say
Dreamtime fades, nearly forgotten,
Old mans spirit makes memories begotten
If there is still a chance, though small
may the Race awake, and so not fall.
Young men arise , time is nigh
help old man elders spirit fly.
Remember the stories he told by dance,
passed down by generations, not by chance.
The culture is written upon your hearts
only shrouded by the recent past.
Written upon the stones and earth,
well before your time of birth.
Culture revival is already planned,
if not by yours, a mightier hand.
Old Man Elder may have passed away,
but his spirit still will have its say.
A Bristow-Stagg B.E. 154 (1997)
Dreamtime Part III
The years vanish into the past
memories of Old Man Elder did not last.
Sitting by the fires, memories reflecting,
dwelling on an ancient cultures neglecting,
are the
young men grown old and gray
wishing they had done it in their day.
Stories nearly lost, dreamtime fading away,
culture no longer on display.
Hope! not all is gone
Graying men move on.
Filled with memories of Elders Dreams,
spurred on by his spirit, or so it seems,
they arise to their feet
and once again dance the beat.
Hopefully the story, now will end,
on the future generations will we depend.
Lets hope we can say with least surprise,
Old man's spirit has won and the culture has survived.
A Bristow-Stagg B.E. 155 (1998)
Dreamtime Part IV ( Final reflection Really!)
I sit reflecting on this Dreamtime rhyme,
more years have passed, onward moves time.
My many memories of this, a wise old man
have diminished, like an hour glass sand.
Rolly Gilbert I can not forget,
as time moves on I still have cause to reflect
about an elders wisdom and his spirit unfurled
imparting hope, always hope for this a material world.
His motto was simple and pure,
in reality it may be the ultimate cure.
Rolly would say, right up to and on his passing day,
One creator, One People with One blood,
the solution is easy, let the races love.
Tony Bristow-Stagg
B.E. 166 (2009)
Dedicated to the memory of Rolly Gilbert, his family and to the race he represents.
In regards to the above Biography - It must be noted that there was more to 'Grandad' Rolly Gilbert's burial service at Delta Downs Station. A couple of years before His passing Rolly also became a follower of Baha'ullah and joined the Baha'i Faith. Rolly took Baha'i's on
camping trips to the mouth of the
Gilbert River.
On his passing the family got together knowing this fact and decided on a joint funeral at the Station between Anglican and Baha'i. This was arranged and together with the large turnout of family and friends to the service, the priest and a small group of Baha'i's gathered on site.
It was then that the Anglican Priest refused to do the service if the Baha'i's were to have any part. This caused a lot of concern amongst the family. To give respect to the Family and Rolly the Baha'i's quickly stated that they would not join in and would hold a private service at the grave site after the priest had left.
This is what happened on that day. The Priest did the Anglican Service and all moved to the burial site, the priest finished at the graveside and left. With all the Family and friends present the Baha'i burial service was carried out in full. I feel this is an important part of History as the memory of who Rolly Gilbert was, would not be complete if this is not stated.
