From Little Things Big Things grow
Now a magnificent book that crosses generations – “Gather round people, I’ll tell you a story, an eight-year-long story of power and pride”…..
Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody’s remarkable song, From Little Things Big Things Grow is the anthem of the land rights movement in Australia, telling the story of the proud Gurindji people and their stand against the might of the cattle baron, Lord Vesty. It is a story of hope and optimism.
‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’ is now a book for all ages. Queensland artist Peter Hudson’s evocative landscapes and marvellous paintings by the kids from Gurindji country illustrate this inspirational story immortalised in the song that moved a generation.
From Little Things Big Things Grow is a not-for-profit project established to raise funds for arts and literacy projects for the Gurindji children, in memory and celebration of one of the greatest moments of courage and peace in our country’s history.
By buying a copy of From Little Things Big Things Grow you will be helping the proud Gurindji people keep their culture alive so future generations, the descendants of the strikers, know their important place in history.
You will help us build the Arts Centre in the Kalkaringi Community – we will see the stories and songs continue for many generations to come for all Australian children.
To purchase a book visit the websites listed below at [One Day Hill] or [Affirm Press] or visit your local book stores.
The Story: “What happened was that two men, one black, one white, wrote a song which used that line as its chorus, ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’. The song tells a story, that not many Australians knew about, it wasn’t taught in schools.
It’s the story of a strike on Wave Hill cattle station in the Northern Territory in 1966 when the Gurindji stockmen, who were working for little more than rations, sat down for better pay and conditions from their British employer Lord Vesty. It was after they sat down that it occurred to Vincent Lingiari, the head stockman and strike leader, that the land he was sitting on was Gurindji land with all which that means to traditional Aboriginal people, the land being their source and mother. What started over a dispute over pay became a story of the land.
The strikers moved camp to a place sacred to the Gurindji near Wattie Creek. The strength of the Gurindji’s resolve became apparent, the dispute attracted the attention of a nation. Questions were asked in Federal Parliament, Trade unionists took up the striking stockmen’s call, as did university students and church groups. It took eight years but the Gurindji won their land back. The photograph of Labour Prime Minister Gough Whitlam pouring sand into the hands of Vincent Lingiari near Wattie Creek on August 16 1975 is one of the most famous Australian political photographs of the 20th century.
Whitlam’s words that day are well known: “On this great day, I, Prime Minister of Australia, speak to you on behalf of all Australian people – all those who honour and love this land we live in. For them I want to say to you: I want this to acknowledge that we Australians have still much to do to readdress the injustices and the oppression that for so long has been the lot of Black Australians. Vincent Lingiari, I solemnly hand to you these deeds as proof, in Australian law, that these lands belong to the Gurindji people and I put into your hands part of the earth itself as a sign that this land will be the possession of you and your children for ever.”
Vincent Lingiari’s reply, when translated from Gurindji, is 201 words and the word “ceremony” or “ceremonial” appears five times. What happened that day, he seemed to be saying, was part of Aboriginal law as well as whitefella law. He then turned to Whitlam and said, “We be mates now”. It is a moment of natural grace and mutual dignity without repeat in Australian history.
The Gurindji people have shown you should always plant the seed of hope. When the Gurindji dispute began, Aboriginal people were still not counted in the Australian census. In the 1960’s Australia’s leading news magazine still carried beneath its title, a banner which read: “Australia for the White Man”. The number of people who had heard of the Gurindji when the dispute began, or had any idea of what part of Australia they were from, would have been almost nothing. But even greater than all these forces was the belief of the old man and those around him.
“From Little Things Big Things Grow” is an Australian anthem of hope.” (from the foreword of the book written by Martin Flanagan)
The Gurindji Project – Arts Cultural Centre:
From Little Things Big Things Grow has been a collaborative effort, worthy of the song’s title.
It came about because one person inspired another person who inspired another. A tremendous amount of energy, enthusiasm and passion has gone into production of this book.
Funding was sort for the publishing of the book so the funds from the sales would go back to the Gurindji people for a specified project. Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly generously agreed to allow the use of the lyrics for the book and the Dagaragu Council in the Northern Territory provided a grant to assist with production, Peter Hudson Artists gave of his time and creativity to provide the beautiful landscapes that appear in the book along with the artwork of the Gurindji children.
The group sought counsel with the Gurindji elders in publishing the book, they met with the elders and identify a need which proceeds from the book sales could meet, and for the school children in Kalkaringi to paint scenes from the song and tell their story to children all over Australia.
An Arts Centre is what the Gurindji people want. This Centre would become a gathering place where children can go after school and learn from their elders; painting and stories. In Aboriginal culture, they explained, youth learn by watching rather than asking, but there is nowhere for the elders and children to go at the moment. The Arts Centre will become that place where the elders can guide the children in the traditional art form and the stories of the dreamtime.
The book is a collaborative effort by a private foundation in Melbourne and Ian Thorpe’s Fountain for youth.
About Kalkaringi: The budding young artists who illustrated From Little Things Big Things Grow attend the local Kalkaringi Community Education Centre (CEC).
Kalkaringi is a remote community approximately 500km southwest of Katherine in the Northern Territory. The school services both Kalkaringi and the nearby community of Dargaragu.
The school is a major employer in the area providing work for assistant teachers, tutors, grounds maintenance workers and nutrition workers. It also works closely with the local clinic to address health issues amongst the young people.
The schools new mission statement is “Empowering Community Through Education”. The vision encapsulates the strong notion that education across the community is one key to improving overall community outcomes. The new school plan includes many opportunities to engage community in the education of their children, while clearly focusing on improving literacy and numeracy through the introduction of school wide, consistent literacy & numeracy programs. The plan also promotes good well being and behaviour, and will also improve the numbers of students successfully transitioning to higher education and meaningful work.
From little things big things grow!
