2011 - Theses - Flinders University

hurting yourself. Instead I say we’re the Chosen generation – our parents would havewanted us to go on and achieve. 129Which she did:So I was smart and thought I’ll be a mission worker and then I’ll get back to my people.Nepabunna, then Oodnadatta and thought ‘nearly there’. Even when I was six, taken, Ithought I’d get back to my people one day. I didn’t know my mother would die before Icould get back, or that I wouldn’t have language to talk to my grandfather then. 1306th April 1930, Copley, Flinders RangesAfter Quorn, the train had stopped at Hawker – where more than half the passengers run tothe pub, and back again, in the time it took to fill the engine with water – and Beltana, whereJim noticed the proudly Mounted Constable supervising events, and heard the strains of awindy pump organ complaining away to the Australian Inland Mission Padre who practisedfor Easter services.Jim feels a jolt as the train starts to slow down, and breaks from his reverie. He clears histhroat to wake the man still dozing in the seat across from him. The man wears crisp khakifield shirt and pants and is awake in a flash, looking out the window, and then slumping intohis seat again.‘Copley again’, he mutters.‘Do you know it?’ Jim asks.‘Here with Elkin a few months back...Professor Elkin, studying the natives out east.’‘You’re heading there too?’ Jim’s voice is eager.‘No, done there. Meeting up in Marree this time.’ 131 The man sits up, and looks harder atJim. ‘What’s your interest then?’77