By Thea Hayes Tuesday 21 October 2014

Photo: Gough Whitlam pours soil into the hands of Vincent Lingiari, symbolically handing the Wave Hill station in the Northern Territory back to the Gurindji People. (AGNSW: Mervyn Bishop)

In August 1975 Gough Whitlam visited a remote area of the Northern Territory for the landmark transfer of pastoral lease to the Gurindji People. Thea Hayes witnessed the historic event and recounts it here.

"Thea, go and save Margaret," uttered the general manager of Vesteys.

Behind us at the rear of the seating, where we are sitting, we see Margaret, the prime minister's wife, surrounded by Aboriginal women and children. They all want to talk to this "missus" whose husband is going to return to them part of their land.

We, the Vestey crowd, the general manager, the pastoral inspector, my husband Ralph Hayes, myself and two of our children, are all sitting on the elevated seats, waiting for the ceremony. Ralph is the manager of Wave Hill. He had been a jackeroo, stockman and overseer at Wave Hill, and after managing Gordon Downs Station in the Kimberley he was returned to Wave Hill station to manage in 1969.

There were 240 Aboriginal people working on Wave Hill before we left, after the walkout in 1966 there were only three. On our return, Ralph, who spoke Gurindji, went down to Wattie Creek (Daguragu) and asked Vincent Lingiari, who was a great friend, for some workers for the station and 100 Aboriginal people came to work for us.

The country here at Daguragu, which is 47 kilometres from the Wave Hill homestead, looks a little tired, not many trees are left and what are here are very spindly. There are humpies in the background and in front a tarpaulin is connected to an old corrugated shed, or lean-to, which has a sign:

GURINDJI 
MINING LEASE CATTLE STATION

Aboriginal children and dogs are running through the shed, while Vincent, Dexter Danials and other tribal elders stand waiting for the moment. Tables are set with paper plates and plastic cutlery for the barbeque. The women of the Gurindji tribe are ready for their corroboree, but in deference to the occasion have put on bras instead of being topless.

Not far from the lean-to is the prime minister, several aboriginal affairs ministers, and other dignitaries all looking uncomfortable in business suits.

Suddenly Margaret moves towards her husband and they enter the shade of the tarpaulin, with the other VIPs. A representative for Lord Vestey stands in front of the microphone with Vincent on his right, and is the first to speak, promising 400 head of cattle to mark the occasion.

The prime minister comes forward; he makes a short speech about giving back ownership of the land. The deeds are then handed over as proof that this land belongs to the Gurindji people. He then bends down and picks up a handful of sand, and pours it into Vincent's hand, saying that it is a sign of the restoration of the land to his people.

Vincent looks quite overcome, and hangs his head, looking down at the sand. There is long silence. Even the kids are quiet.

Then Vincent starts chanting in Gurindji, talking to his people. Finally he says: "We are all right now. We all friendly. We are mates."

This article was first published on ABC Open. View the original here.

Thea Hayes is a nurse whose first posting in 1960 was to a remote station in the Northern Territory called Wave Hill. In 1975 when Gough Whitlam transferred the pastoral lease to the Gurindji People her husband, Ralph, was station manager at Wave Hill. View her full profile here.

Whitlam, sand and a new beginning - The Drum (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)