The+Pearling+Industry+-+Sam

Sam Heseltine I will briefly summerize the following six resources in referencing order. Hopefully this will entice you to click on the links, or if possible obtain the remaining sources through your local library or the wise old internet. Apologies for late submission. Kind regards Sam :D

 * Interesting to read information from a non-Indigenous perspective, this government website recognised that from 1862-68 that local Aborigines worked in unfair and unsafe conditions in “Shark Bay”, which is 800 km’s nth of Perth. However they fail to fully acknowledge the Aboriginal input when reporting on the history of Broome and the Pearling industry.

* Local stories, abc, was a really interesting site, which contained text, pictures and audio commentary coming from non-Indigenous sculptures Joan and Charlie Smith. The text was from Indigenous experiences. The main emphasis was the Aboriginal women's connection with pearl diving, notable facts such as; being the first preference when choosing divers (before oxygen assisted suits) over men, due to their lung capacity. Examples of hardship they had to endure through the 1860’s are just plain cruel. Unclothed dives that went to great depths, some while pregnant, with minimal recovery time. Joan and Charlie explain their reasoning behind sculpting and erecting their art piece of a pregnant aboriginal diver in Broome's Roebuck bay area.

* A true story, //The White Divers of BROOME// is written by author John Bailey. Explains the government’s attempt in 1912 to eradicate the Asian dominance in Broome’s pearl diving industry. Twelve ex-navy divers from Britain are sent to Australia to attempt this. I am currently half way through the book and so far it’s very insightful. Bailey obtains a great deal of his information from medical records, journals and past histories. He also goes into detail, the pain First Australians had to endure in the Pearling industries early years. Very descriptive and really sets the tone for how life was like for many different races of the time, in this location. This book can be borrowed from Broome’s Notre Dame University, or found online.

* //Burning Daylight// is a large scale theatre production that can be watched on DVD, and obtained through Broome’s Notre Dame University Library. It focuses on the relationships between Australia’s Aboriginals and the Asian race in Australia’s North West, throughout the pearling industry. The fact these parties had the ability to co-exist and procreate prior to British presence. But also the Government acts of discrimination put upon both cultures and the similarities these minority groups faced in terms of disadvantage.

* //Milli Milli// is another DVD/documentary found in Notre Dames library. Indigenous Mackie Williams relates a coastal story about her grandfather who refused to collect white man’s treasured pearl shell; he is consequently beaten to his death by non-indigenous people. The story is narrated by Williams, telling of Spiritual triumph over the European invaders materialism obsession. It’s a message of Spirituality, identity and opportunity to appreciate the Mythology. One fact that caught my attention was talks of Aboriginal coastal tribes (prior to invasion) travelling 1000 + km’s to trade pearl shells to the desert people.

* Regina Canter is a senior lecturer in Australian history at Griffith University. This book //Mixed Relations// covers histories from many perspectives in the Kimberley, regarding Indigenous and Asian relationships, the Pearling industry. Extremely informative with great pictures of past Aboriginal and Asian people. Obtained from Notre Dame University in Broome.

References.

Australian Story, Retrieved 21/04/2011 from, www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/australias-pearling-industry.

ABC Local Stories. Retrieved 21/04/2011 from, www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/11/29/30/2079734.htm?site=kimberley

Bailey, J. (2001). //The White Divers of Broome- The true story of a fatal experiment.// Sydney: Pan Macmillin Australia.

//Burning Daylight,// Theatre Production, Marrugeku, Western Australia, 2009, Stalker Theatre Company.

//Milli, Milli,// Narrative, Western Australia, 1994, Film by Wayne Baker, Narrated by Stephen ‘bamba’ Alert.

Canter, R., Martinez, J., Lee, G. (2006). //Mixed Relations – Asian Aboriginal Contact in North Australia.// Crawely Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press.