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 One‘As good a place to start as any. Might want to have a talk to Chris Ryan, and some of theothers been working on wells too. Here, what’s he after?’ and Jim hands Ted the ChiefProtector’s letter. ‘Right, let’s head down there. I can work it out, if you can write it down.’That night, Jim completes his reply, and feels the healthy weariness of a full day’s work. Hisdiagram is neat and detailed, and he has mentioned all those things Ted spoke about: clackvalves, and drag pipes and force pipes. To give Ted his due, he had even written: ‘Some ofthe men here have had experience in erection of mills etc, and with consideration theirservices will be useful.’ 169 He is pleased with his reply, and with the work it represents. It is along time since he has felt that. He stretches out on his cot, but then sits up again, and reachesfor the old box of letters beneath his bed. It’s been a long time since he has corresponded, hethinks, and she will be wondering what has happened to him. Tonight, at last, he feels he hassomething worthy to tell her, and so he begins a new letter.…You must forgive me for my tardy correspondence. It has been a hard season, but youwill be pleased to hear that just today I have written to the Chief Protector of Aboriginesrequesting a windmill and pump for the well, which will bring the water right to ourdwellings…Netley, South Australian Government Archives, Adelaide, 2001The first archival document I ever unearth to do with Jim Page, tells me that August musthave been a terrible month for him. Violet has sent a letter to Jim, with a copy to Mr Wyld,containing a string of allegations for Jim to answer. It even has me doubting him: Did Jim‘chain a native woman to a tree?’ Did he sell rations to the natives, and profit from the112