As we head into to drier and cooler months in Northern Australia, the Territory will see an influx of adventurers, travellers, and visitors to the wonderful
Kakadu National Park.
Described as a “living cultural landscape”
Kakadu is situated to the south of
Darwin and easily accessible in the touring season, but I’m sure it is a wonderful part of Australia that needs little introduction.
On our trip to the Western Deserts last year I spent a short period in
Alice Springs and stumbled across a wonderful book titled “Gagudjuman” by Bill Neidjie, published by JB Books Australia in 2005.
Big Bill, or
Kakadu Man as he was known, was a driving force in a decision to lease his people’s traditional lands,
Kakadu, to the Australian Government so it could be managed as a wilderness area and resource to be shared by all Australians.
After establishing
Kakadu as a National Park in 1979, Bill, who was the last surviving speaker of the Gaagudju language, returned to live and work in his homeland where he passed away in 2002. Today
Kakadu continues to be governed by a board with a majority of indigenous Australians
This small book is beautifully presented in hardcover and has some splendid photographs reproduced within its covers, but importantly, it contains the words of Bill Neidjie where he writes,
“I give you this story”
I have read it through many times and I feel visitors to
Kakadu will greatly enhance their experience of the area by reading the words of Bill, his story, prior to visiting.
You can find more details here…
Gagudjuman, by Bill Neidjie
Cheers, Baz - The Landy