2011 - Theses - Flinders University

White Lives in a Black Community: The lives of Jim Page and Rebecca Forbes in the Adnyamathanha communityTracy SpencerVolume One Creative Writing Component: Excerpted Chapters from Volume Three Appendix Oneamongst them. I would be pleased to introduce you to Ted Coulthard in the morning, andhave him show you over the stone house he has made for himself. Of course there is noroofing iron, only tins, but I am hopeful that our prayers for proper roofing for the nativehouses might be heard soon.’ Again, it is enough, and Jim gathers himself back into silence,hoping the guests might have seen the arrogance in Wyld’s outburst that he himself had hadto live with for the past months.‘And of course we shall look forward to seeing the spiritual side of the work tomorrow,although your reports suggest it is quite fruitful, Mr Page.’ Jim nods and smiles and murmursa quiet ‘thank you’.‘As I said, our purpose is to restore equanimity between you, and we shall do our utmostto see this occurs, while of course being very keen to see the operations of the mission aswell, and observe the natives here. As to the control of the mission, the Council is of a viewthat we would only look to change control where that seems to be a requirement for the goodorder of the mission. Too much change can be unsettling to the natives, and we are mindfulof the changes that have occurred on this station. So, if it becomes necessary, we can visitthat matter a little later. Thank you both – all....’ He glances at Bertha, and continues. ‘...Forthe way you have welcomed us and participated in these difficult matters. I can see before mededicated and passionate servants of the Lord, and that warms my heart. Shall we pray?’The conference over, Jim leaves the others finding their night things in their tightly packedbags, and returns to his small hut alone. Behind the fence, even before he is inside the door, aloud breath escapes him, and he feels the tears rise in the darkness. He does not even light the104