In 1964, the launching of a test rocket in Western Australia was compromised by the discovery of an indigenous Aboriginal tribe living in the Outback. First found by welfare patrol officers, this incident saw the clashing of two cultures, dissimilar in every respect. Now more than 50 years on, the story is retold through the accounts of both the officers on duty and more notably, 62 year old tribe member, Yuwali, who returns to her original homeland where she first encountered the officers at the age of 17.
A Journey to the Past
With 2 interpretations of the same incident running parallel in this documentary, viewers are provided with both a technological and a spiritual perspective of the events, and how the intervention of the advanced Australian patrol was viewed at first as a monstrous visitation for the Aborigine people. Yuwali’s telling of the initial encounter paints a vivid picture, showing what the vehicle-manned patrols had seemed like to a community with no previous exposure to the outside world, and how the ensuing terror her family experienced had been circumstantially understandable.
Likewise, the account given by the now elderly patrol officers is remarkably respectful towards the livelihoods of the tribe, assuring that their ongoing pursuit was done for the sake of protection rather than malice. The two men interviewed for this film emerge in actuality to be honest noble liaisons for the seemingly thoughtless authorities.
More strangely in this programme, going by fact and personal accounts alone, the course of events often seemed to have miraculously leant in favour of the spiritual beliefs of the tribe- whereby unexpected forces of nature briefly delayed the launch of the rocket. This anomaly was even described jovially by one of the patrol officers themselves as ‘divine intervention’.
Yuwali in Present Day
Alongside the moving and tragic tale of a lifestyle long lost is a light hearted moment filmed in present day, where the future offspring of Yuwali’s family- now living an altogether different life within urban Australian society- are shown footage shot in the 60’s of their tribal ancestors. Narrated by Yuwali herself, the community come across as satisfied with their new way of life, but are also keen to celebrate the past, as well as the retaining of their spiritual beliefs of living in the Outback.
Contact in the Outback is an honest account of an injustice performed on the part of civilised community, as humbly admitted by those being interviewed. With the story told so personally, this insight into an untouched Aborigine way of life is a fascinating one, and this respectful documentary is an essential depiction of a turbulent cultural divide.
Conatct in the Outback was televised on More 4 at 10:00pm Tuesday 25th January 2011.
Ashley Jacob - I'm 28 and currently residing in Bath, England with my son Caleb and my girlfriend Julie. Since my days of childhood, music and elaborate ...
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