Nice Sarb. Recall visiting AU from NZ as a teen in 1984. A rugby tour. Billeted with familes across NSW. A week or so in, having seen precisly zero Aboriginal people in Syd, asked our host in Nowra where the bloody hell are they? as it were. Drove us to a caravan park on the outskirts of Nowra. Not welcome in town was the explanation. Then a litany of reasons why this was "necessary". you can imagine.
As a kid pumped up by the affront that was apartheid South Africa I couldn't reconcile how this was tolerable in AU: widespread cultural acceptance and structural disinterest on the part of instutitions of state. We are often clumsy and complacent here in NZ but there is not that disinterest and ambivalence in our culture that could allow such a separation to occur btwn cultures, especially re tangata te whenua. Not to be taken for granted. Certainly to be celebrated.
Very much enjoyed The Sea track added to your story Sarb.
Nice Sarb. Recall visiting AU from NZ as a teen in 1984. A rugby tour. Billeted with familes across NSW. A week or so in, having seen precisly zero Aboriginal people in Syd, asked our host in Nowra where the bloody hell are they? as it were. Drove us to a caravan park on the outskirts of Nowra. Not welcome in town was the explanation. Then a litany of reasons why this was "necessary". you can imagine.
As a kid pumped up by the affront that was apartheid South Africa I couldn't reconcile how this was tolerable in AU: widespread cultural acceptance and structural disinterest on the part of instutitions of state. We are often clumsy and complacent here in NZ but there is not that disinterest and ambivalence in our culture that could allow such a separation to occur btwn cultures, especially re tangata te whenua. Not to be taken for granted. Certainly to be celebrated.
Enjoying your stuff.
Best etc, Brent