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Issue Details: First known date: 2005... 2005 Cleared Out : First Contact in the Western Desert
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'In 1964, a group of 20 Aboriginal women and children in the Western Desert made their first contact with European Australians — patrol officers from the Woomera Rocket Range, clearing an area into which rockets were to be fired. They had been pursued by the patrol officers for several weeks, running from this frightening new force in the desert.'

'Yuwali, 17 at the time, remembers every detail of the drama – first seeing these ‘devils’ and their ‘rocks that moved’, escaping the strange intruders. Her sharp recollections are complemented in a 3-part diary of the ‘chase’ by the colourful official reports of the patrol. These reflect a similar drama – arguments within Government about the treatment of desert inhabitants and public scepticism about the Government’s intent. Line-drawn maps and black & white illustrations complement the text.'

'Yuwali’s story also resonates in today’s debate about the future of many Indigenous desert communities. Cleared Out combines three oral histories, detailed archival research and a wealth of photographs and rare film footage from the patrol. Through one extraordinary episode, the multiple perspectives on the moment of contact are revealed.' (Resource: Publishers website)

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Teachers' notes via publisher's website.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Canberra, Australian Capital Territory,: Aboriginal Studies Press , 2005 .
      image of person or book cover 383629021310812335.jpg
      Image courtesy of Publisher website
      Extent: xv, 208p.
      Description: illus. (b & w), maps.
      Note/s:
      • Includes bibliography.
      ISBN: 0855754575, 9780855754570
    • Canberra, Australian Capital Territory,: Aboriginal Studies Press , 2010 .
      Extent: xv, 208p.
      Description: illus., maps and ports.
      Note/s:
      • Includes DVD titled "Contact" a documentary film based on this book. (English text, English and Martu with English subtitles on DVD). {Distributed by Australian Broadcasting Corporation}.
      ISBN: 0855757108, 9780855757106

Works about this Work

Untitled Paul Burns , 2007 single work review
— Appears in: Reviews in Australian Studies , vol. 2 no. 1 2007;

— Review of Cleared Out : First Contact in the Western Desert Yuwali , Sue Davenport , Peter Johnson , 2005 single work life story
Untitled Paul Burns , 2007 single work review
— Appears in: Reviews in Australian Studies , vol. 2 no. 1 2007;

— Review of Cleared Out : First Contact in the Western Desert Yuwali , Sue Davenport , Peter Johnson , 2005 single work life story
Last amended 17 Sep 2019 12:02:34
Subjects:
  • c
    Australia,
    c
  • RAAF Woomera Test Range, North West South Australia, Far North South Australia, South Australia,
  • Woomera, Far North South Australia, South Australia,
  • Western Desert of South Australia, South Australia,
  • 1964
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