Aussie Pythons & Snakes

waruikazi · #1 20-Nov-09, 08:55 PM

Yeow damulkulli, manmuk?

Hi guys! That's me saying hello how are you in Yolngu Matha. For the past year i have had a totally wicked job, i work as teacher supprt out in remote indigenous communities. So basically i go out into a school, teach for a week or so and then go home. I've been to some pretty cool places, they are nearly always pretty small and the scenery is usually pretty spectacular.

This week just gone i had the opportunity to go out to one of the outstations of Millingimbi called Murrungga (if you google earth it it is spelt Mooroonga) which is one of the crocodile islands. It is a tiny little place with 8 houses, a couple of sheds and a few long drop dunnies. There are no feral animals at all on this island, from what i saw not even rats and mice.

Here's some pictures of it from the air

I was talking to the old ladies on the island about the wildlife and reptiles and all the rest and they were telling me that there were lots of snakes, mainly mulgas in the area. Then they went on to tell me that they were special snakes that could sting you with their tail as well. I though that was a bit wierd and just brushed it off as a story that the old people told them as children so they wouldn't try and catch the snakes by the tale.

Anyway one afternoon i took the cruiser out to get some more firewood with some of the kids (in these little places you can still travel around like this V v V and it is awesome!)

And we went wandering out into the scrub like this, because no one wears shoes in these places (my feet are the dirty white ones lol)

While we were collecting firewood one of the girls came screaming out of the bush 'Snake! Snake!' So with my camera in hand and five roudy teenagers behind me i went to investigate. She said is was orange and white and really small so of course it was one of the other things they have on the island called a centipede... lol. Only it wasn't LOL here's what i found.

I would have got some better pictures but i had to make sure the kids were safe so i only took the one and left. But after looking at the little fella i worked out what they meant by a stinging tail, they think the caudil lure is like a scorpions tail. I wish i got a picture of the whole snakes body cause the way it held it and flicked it around it really looked like a sting.

Now with that story out of the way lol, I really want to tell everyone who reads this how lucky we are as a country to have such an ancient and strong culture still surviving today. It was such a priviledge to be allowed to go out and live with this mob for a week to learn and live in Yolngu culture.

On this island the Yolngu's live a very two way existance, they follow all the laws that the government tells them they must but they also still live the culture that they were given by their fathers and granfathers. They still go out and hunt and find bush tucker for their main meals everyday, they still practice Yolngu law but still they also accept and follow ballanda law (white law).

Even though i was working this community made me feel so welcome. They let me join in their Bungul (That's me facing the wrong way lol). They taught me how to hunt etc etc. It was such a great experience, as it always is in these communities but this particular trip was very special.

I hope this story isn't lost on too many in the APS community. I'd like everyone who reads this to remember that Australia is Indigenous people's country and Australia has a history going back over 40 000 years but Australia is also our country (speaking for non-indigenous here) and i think we share that ancient past as a nation and we should all feel a sense of pride in that history and in that culture.

melgalea · #2 20-Nov-09, 09:17 PM

nawww it was a great story. i would love to do something like that. loved the adder... i would love to live on a small island. :-)
cheers
mel

ozziepythons · #3 20-Nov-09, 09:24 PM

Wow your life is a real adventure Gordo. You seem quite in touch with the indigenous people you work with, and the island looks like a paradise. That adder was a lucky find! Glad you didn't get 'stung' lol. Keep us posted of your travels around the NT

waruikazi · **Threadstarter** #4 20-Nov-09, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozziepythons

Wow your life is a real adventure Gordo. You seem quite in touch with the indigenous people you work with, and the island looks like a paradise. That adder was a lucky find! Glad you didn't get 'stung' lol. Keep us posted of your travels around the NT

Unless anything unexpected comes up in the next 3 weeks that was my last trip. Was an awesome way to finish the year and this job off. I need to move on in my career because a job with so much travel really takes its toll on your body and spirit. I've taken a full time job in a community in Arnhem Land starting next year so i guess i should have some stories to share later lol.