RE: outback memories
PODESTA,Lesley (Lesley.PODESTA@deetya.gov.au)
Mon, 30 Mar 1998 09:36:34 +1000
Scottie said:
> I've always
> found them a pretty embarassing bunch altogether, actually -
> not least when they hunker down & start scrabbling around in
> the garden, hunting (as I'm told) for ants. On one occasion, I
> remember, a small group we had invited to
> a literary evening insisted we all go outside to squat round a
> fire
> they had prepared - & made us listen for several hours to folk
> chants accompanied by a somewhat monotonous playing on
> their collection of wooden tubes & boxes. This introduction
> to Australian culture at its most typical has left an indelible
> memory.
>
Thanks for the amusing words Scottie. Actually, I feel as though this
contribution is letting us down - so full of stereotypes, it raises
barely a smile. I expect far greater levels of satire from you!
Where are the clever observations about the new Australian writers' and
the fact that this country with its piffling population size manages to
host local Writers' Festivals nearly every forttnight somewhere in the
country? Or the fact that our local Festival manages to attract over
20,000 paying customers and has "fully booked" sessions for most of the
programmes? Or the fact that our indigenous press, Mugabala, has been
publishing some of the most innovative writing in the world?
You see Scottie, that little bit of "geographic isolation" is more like
a jewel that a chain. Being just that bit cut off gives one a better
opportunity to explore the interior too. It's like permanently living in
the country. We read more books.
And that's a damn fine thing for the national psyche.
Lesley P.
> ----------
> From: Scottie Bowman[SMTP:bowman@mail.indigo.ie]
> Sent: Friday, 27 March 1998 23:17
> To: bananafish@lists.nyu.edu
> Subject: outback memories
>
>
> I'm amazed at what Camille tells us about herself. I'd hate
> to let this become personal, but any Ozzies I ever met were
> a quite extraordinary colour - certainly not apricot pink. All
> of
> them, in fact, had this curious earthen tint with white & yellow
>
> streaks painted over their faces. Really rather weird.
>
> On another occasion, Germaine Greer invited me - with a
> guarantee
> of personal safety - to a man-shredding party. I could see
> something was not quite right when GG welcomed me into her
> hallway
> wearing her cork-rimmed hat - & nothing else except a huge panga
>
> swinging from a thong on her hip. No one will be surprised to
> learn
> that I quickly made my excuses & left.
>
> I yield to no one in my admiration for all native cultures.
> At least, in theory. I eagerly await Camille's & Lesley's
> confirmation that my experiences with their compatriots from
> down under have not been unique.
>
> Scottie B.
>