GriffithREVIEW47.indb 1 21/01/2015 3:43 pm Praise for Griffith Review ‘Essential reading for each and every one of us.’ Readings ‘A varied, impressive and international cast of authors.’ The Australian ‘Griffith Review is a must-read for anyone with even a passing interest in current affairs, politics, literature and journalism. The timely, engaging writing lavishly justifies the Brisbane-based publication’s reputation as Australia’s best example of its genre.’ The West Australian ‘There is a consistently high standard of writing: all of it well crafted or well argued or well informed, as befits the various genres.’ Sydney Review of Books ‘This quarterly magazine is a reminder of the breadth and talent of Australian writers. Verdict: literary treat.’ Herald Sun ‘Griffith Review editor Julianne Schultz is the ultra-marathoner of Australian cultural life.’ Canberra Times ‘At a time when long form journalism is under threat and the voices in our public debate are often off-puttingly condescending, hectoring and discordant, Griffith Review is the elegant alternative.’ Booktopia Buzz ‘Griffith Review is a consistently good journal. There is some terrific writing on display as well as variety and depth to the issues being grappled with.’ The Age ‘Australia’s most important literary essay magazine.’ Courier-Mail ‘At once comfortable and thought-provoking, edgy and familiar, [it] will draw the reader through its pages.’ Australian Book Review ‘Griffith Review is a wonderful journal. It’s pretty much setting the agenda in Australia and fighting way above its weight… You’re mad if you don’t subscribe.’ Phillip Adams ‘Once again, Griffith Review has produced a stunning volume of excellent work. The pieces are diverse, the stories unique and real. But one thing remains constant – superb writing.’ Weekend Herald (NZ) GriffithREVIEW47.indb 1 21/01/2015 3:43 pm SIR SAMUEL GRIFFITH was one of Australia’s great early achievers. Twice the premier of Queensland, that state’s chief justice and the author of its criminal code, he was best known for his pivotal role in drafting agreements that led to Federation, and as the new nation’s first chief justice. He was also an important reformer and legislator, a practical and cautious man of words. Griffith died in 1920 and is now best remembered in his namesakes: an electorate, a society, a suburb and a university. Ninety-six years after he first proposed establishing a university in Brisbane, Griffith University, the city’s second, was created. His commitment to public debate and ideas, his delight in words and art, and his attachment to active citizenship are recognised by the publication that bears his name. Like Sir Samuel Griffith, Griffith Review is iconoclastic and non-partisan, with a sceptical eye and a pragmatically reforming heart and a commitment to public discussion. Personal, political and unpredictable, it is Australia’s best conversation. GriffithREVIEW47.indb 2 21/01/2015 3:43 pm GriffithReview47 Looking West Edited by Julianne Schultz and Anna Haebich GriffithREVIEW47.indb 3 21/01/2015 3:43 pm GriffithReview47 INTRODUCTION 7 Land, glorious land JULIANNE SCHULTZ: New horizons, new perspectives ESSAY 11 From the edge of the edge ANNA HAEBICH: Some observations 18 Open ground REBECCA GIGGS: Trespassing on the mining boom 32 The limits of dominion CARMEN LAWRENCE: Custodians on the edge 49 Finger money STEVE KINNANE, JUDY HARRISION AND ISABELLE REINECKE: The black and white of stolen wages 114 Shifting focus TED SNELL: A comprehensive, unbiased history 123 The rise of a sustainable city PETER NEWMAN: Much more than the Wild West 151 The man without a face DAVID RITTER: Making loss political 159 How to eat a wilderness ANDREA GAYNOR: The past and future of the Wheatbelt 172 Ghosts of the water dreamers RUTH A. MORGAN: Water histories between the desert and the sea 181 A very striking parasite JOHN CHARLES RYAN: Cultural history of the Christmas tree 190 Not so easy KIM SCOTT: Language for a shared history 205 The native seeds of Augusta JESSICA WHITE: Georgiana Molloy’s botanical exchanges 213 Possessed by mining SARAH BURNSIDE: Booms, bargains and beastly governments 233 Ancient treasures 223 MULVANEY: Past and present on the Dampier Archipelago 241 Lustre SARAH YU, BART PIGRAM AND MAYA SHIOJI: Reflections on pearling 278 In flight SUVENDRINI PERERA: Castaways and the poetics of survival 289 Hidden CAROLINE FLEAY, NADIR ALI REZAI AND LISA HARTLEY: Living behind bricks and wire MEMOIR 71 Big time unna? SEAN GORMAN: Noongars transform Aussie Rules 91 Like a tourist with benefits HELEN TRINCA: Dilemma of the domestic ex-pat 108 Creative Darwinism NICK ALLBROOK: Pretty flowers grow in shit 129 Monsters SAMUEL CARMODY: The swimming speed of sharks, and other lessons GriffithREVIEW47.indb 4 21/01/2015 3:43 pm 271 Calcutta TERRI-ANN WHITE: A view from the street 299 Might be rainbows HOLLY RINGLAND: A road trip through the Western Desert REPORTAGE 140 The worm in the bud DAVID WHISH-WILSON: Writing about crime 232 Playing with fire JACQUELINE WRIGHT: Learning to read and use 252 Mirror rim ASHLEY HAY: Lost and found in the Abrolhos FICTION 80 From now on BROOKE DAVIS 260 The quiet slave JOHN MATEER 208 Nullius AMANDA CURTIN INTERVIEW 97 Contending with a blank page TIM WINTON in interview with MADELEINE WATTS: On writing, wealth and being a west-coaster POEM 47 High school sewing LUCY DOUGAN 87 The artlessness of internal travel JOHN KINSELLA 139 Deep: Indian Ocean view from the Blue Duck Café, Cottesloe ROSEMARY LONGHURST 171 Droughtbreaker FAY ZWICKY griffithreview.com COVER ART: Howard Taylor Double self-portrait 1959 Oil on composition board 71.8 x 84 cm State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia Purchased 1985 © The Howard H. Taylor Estate, represented by Galerie Düsseldorf. Griffith Review gratefully acknowledges the support and generosity of our founding patron, the late Margaret Mittelheuser AM and the ongoing support of Dr Cathryn Mittelheuser AM. GriffithREVIEW47.indb 5 21/01/2015 3:43 pm GriffithReview47 2015 GriffithREVIEW42 SUMMER 2013 Griffith Review is published quarterly by Griffith University GriffithREviEw is published four times a year by Griffithin conjunction University with Text Publishing. ISSN 1448-2924 ISBN: 978-1-922182-67-8 in conjunction with Text Publishing. issn 1448-2924 Publisher Martin Betts Publisher Marilyn McMeniman AM Editor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA Editor Julianne Schultz AM Associate Publisher Susan Hornbeck Co-editor Carmel Bird Fiction Editor Sally Breen Deputy Editors Erica Sontheimer, NicholasEditorial Bray Manager Hamish Townsend Production Manager Paul Thwaites Editorial Assistants John Tague and Jerath Head Publicist Susan Hornbeck Business Publication & Administration Jane Hunterland Cover Design wH Chong, Text PublishingCurtin University Anna Haebich FAHA (Editor) and Rosemary Stevens Text Publishing Michael Heyward, Kirsty wilson, Shalini Kunahlan(Associate Editor), Tim Dolin, Steve Mickler, David Whish-Wilson, Rachel Robertson and Liz Byrski Proofreading Alan vaarwerk Publication & Editorial Interns Coco McGrath, Madeleine watts, Alana Brekelmans, Nicholas Cover Design WH Chong, Text Publishing ivanovic, Jessica O’Neill, Timothy Fitzgerald, Sam Hooshmand, Kirra Smith, Michelle AllanText Publishing Michael Heyward, Kirsty Wilson, Shalini Kunahlan Administration Jane Hunterland Typesetting Midland Typesetters Typesetting Midland Typesetters Printing Ligare Book Printers Printing Ligare Book Printers Distribution Penguin Australia Distribution Penguin Australia Contributions by academics can, on request, be refereed by our Editorial Board. Cover Image: Watching for Buller , 1993, (Detail),Details: Oil www.griffithreview.comon canvas, 1000 x 1200mm Courtesy of Collection of the JamesGRIFFITH wallace REVIEW Arts Trust. South Bank Campus, Griffith University PO Box 3370, South Brisbane QLD 4101 Australia Contributions by academics can, on request, be refereed by our Editorial Board. 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