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 OneThis, to my knowledge, is the first wedding to which missionaries have been invited.Superstition prevailed against the witnessing by a white person. But, praise the Lord, it is astep onward, and in future I will be called in to all weddings. I trust that, although we willmaintain the ‘udla law,’ we shall be able to get them to be married in the church and havea form of ceremony.‘Keep the home fires burning’The fire stick starts the camp fire in the new home, and virtually is continually burning (asymbol of the bond of marriage).J. PAGE. 167Nepabunna July 1935It is Saturday morning, and Rebecca is on her way to collect her rations. But there is a knot ofpeople around the far end of Mr Page’s hut, where he keeps the stores and rations these days.It seems an odd thing to do, but then, he is not always himself these days.Rebecca can see the tall thin frame of Rufus Wilton, bending over what looks like thedishevelled mess of clothes that is Nellie Driver, when she is in one of her moods. Rufusmust be in from the station, she thinks with mild surprise. Ethel would be glad. She decidesto return later in the day. There look to be plenty of people there to sort it out already.Jim is pleased to have a task to concentrate on, after the fracas at rations this morning. Hewas glad to have a reason to get away from the mission buildings, and Mr Wyld’s silentamazement. Jim has a large envelope of papers in his satchel, which is slung over hisshoulder. I’m about to play engineer, he thinks, and makes a small giggling noise.At Ted and Winnie’s house, Jim stops and knocks on the door.‘Ted in?’‘Mr Page.’ Ted opens the door, looking a little sleepy. Jim ignores it.110