INDIGENOUS STORYBOOK

THE WEST AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS STORYBOOK
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be
reproduced by any process without prior written permission from PHAIWA.
To obtain further copies of this publication you can contact the following:
PHAIWA
GPO Box U1987
Perth WA 6845
Website: www.phaiwa.org.au
Email: phaiwa@curtin.edu.au
Note the document can be electronically accessed from:
www.phaiwa.org.au
Edition No.7
ISBN number: 978-0-9924807-5-2
© December 2015 Public Health Advocacy Institute WA-Publication Design by Makomedia, Fremantle WA
Acknowledgements PHAIWA would like to thank Healthway for their support, confidence and
financial contributions towards the development of the Indigenous Storybook series. This Storybook would
not have been possible without the support from our Advisory Committee who oversee the concept. Special
thanks to:
• Ray Christophers
• Lyn Dimer
• Juli Coffin
• Dave Pigram
Finally, PHAIWA would like to sincerely thank all the storytellers who contributed their experiences and stories.
Special thanks to Sunni Wilson and Melissa Stoneham from PHAIWA for providing the coordination roles.
Special thanks also to Jemma Norval for her contribution to this edition.
Cover Photo - Photo Credit Sunni Wilson The Western Australian Christmas Tree (Nytsia
floribunda) or Moodja is one of the largest hemi parasitic plants in the world. When it flowers the hot weather
is on its way and people should be making their way to the coast following the six Seasons Cycle. The Noongar
people made use of the species during the season Kambarang, around October to early December, obtaining
bark to make shields. The gum that exudes from the wound can be collected later, it is sweet and eaten raw.
In the 2012 Perth/Peel edition of the West Australian Indigenous Storybook, we were
delighted to publish a story on the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. The storyteller
was Professor Neil Thompson, who described the journey of developing and growing
this service. He told us that HealthInfoNet’s role was to promote collaboration and
provide and disseminate a wide range of free information and knowledge via the web
and that some days there are over 4000 visitors. It is with deep regret we advise that
Professor Neil Thomson passed away peacefully on the 24th January 2016, surrounded
by his loving family. Neil was a passionate, brilliant and generous man whose long
and distinguished career was dedicated to promoting and improving the health and
wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Neil held tertiary training in
medicine, mathematics, anthology and public health. In 1997, Neil became the founding
Director of HealthInfoNet, which is now a nationally respected service.