Some these ponderings were written more than fifty years ago.
Many things have changed. The biggest changes have been in this Aboriginal community, some for the better, some sadly not. There is not so much rubbish. No more plastic bags for the willy-willy’s to spread far and wide, and regular rubbish collection. Children are healthy, very few pussy ears or running noses. No more petrol sniffing. Also I have changed, attitudes, and lifestyle.
But I haven’t changed the original ponderings. They are a true reflection of my thoughts at the time of writing. What surprised me, when I collected them together, is how much hasn’t changed.
I thank Cecily Napanangka and Katie Ferry for their publication Yawalyu From Yuendumu. It is such a genuine record of Cecilly’s knowledge, stories, beliefs and concerns for the future of her culture. It inspired me to consider publishing these ponderings, to leave a record of my beliefs, and concerns for the future along with a bit of silliness.
I also wish to thank: Ken Newman who got me started by kindly typing, from messy, mostly handwritten notes, very many of these ponderings; my husband Frank, for his encouragement, putting up with me spending so much time on this and cooking supper every night; my son Joe for putting this typing program on my computer and many conversations about many of these things; my son Don, also for many discussions which contributed to these ponderings; and my daughter Jenny, who told me so openly, what it is like to be her.
I must also thank all the patient Warlpiri friends and fellow teachers, especially Tess Napaljarri,  Yamuna Napurrurla and Ormay Nangala, who have worked with me and been my friends for fifty years, who taught me Warlpiri, and opened my mind to another way of seeing, being and believing. We are all still working in the Warlpiri Bilingual program. I’m still learning. They are still my teachers.