We've spent the last few days driving through New South Wales country areas: sheep, cattle, farming. Lovely countryside with friendly folk. But when you look deeper into the history of these towns and cities, it looks less friendly, and to be frank, we might just talk about horrible histories instead. Not that the kids' educational TV-show - to my knowledge - has ever showcased the massacres, poisoning and disease that nearly wiped out all Aboriginal people in early 19th century. This happened to the Ngarabal people of Glen Innes, for example, whose culture and hunter-gatherer lifestyle was nearly totally replaced by Scottish newcomers, their culture and a farming lifestyle.
This land is only loan to us all, and it is something I, as a relative newcomer to Australia, have lots of gratitude for. It pays to be respectful and understanding towards the modern Australian culture for one, but even more importantly, towards the original Australians who allow us to camp in the land they belong to, since 1788.
- M -
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| Welcome to Glen Innes, celtic country. For some reason I always thought this was Aboriginal land, and at least the flag still flies for them, if only in the background. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. |
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| Thanks to farming of introduced species, we got to enjoy these beautiful local fruits in Applethorpe. |
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| Here it is, "Tender to phantom", also known as the shopping trolley when we can't park near the shops - or fruit stalls in this case. |
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| This old Ford tells about the farming history of this area. For the kids it was great entertainment at a rest stop near Stanthorpe. |
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