Aboriginal Healing,
Sharing Culture |
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'In every way they were exemplary - attentive, interested, appreciative, grateful, polite, unselfish, sporting and physically courageous. I hope that
my own grandchildren will develop these traits as definitely as these little aboriginal boys…' Mrs. Florence Rutter |
Life at CarrolupThe success of the children, along with the trusting and loving relationship that has developed between the children and their teachers, lead to increased jealousy and conflicts amongst Settlement staff, as well as to violence and government inquiries.
Mr. White’s concerns and complaints about the squalid conditions in which the children live at Carrolup are not addressed. The children’s beautiful art covers the schoolroom walls. Their schoolwork and schoolbooks are also impressive, and the school inspector Sammy Crabbe is brought to tears by their enchanting singing. The girls create beautiful designs and embroidery. Carrolup School football team is “never ever beaten”. When they travel to Perth, they soundly beat Thomas Street School in front of an audience of 2,000 people at Subiaco Oval. Strengthened by the inclusion of older Modern School pupils, Thomas Street still lose a second game. A tarpaulin muster raises over £70 for the Carrolup boys.
Was there ever a sporting team anywhere in the world that contained so many talented artists? The Carrolup School football team, with Mr. White, in 1948.
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Mrs. Florence RutterIn July 1949, a 71-year old Englishwoman Mrs. Florence Rutter briefly visits Carrolup and purchases five pounds worth of drawings and designs. She exhibits the drawings and designs in eight cities around Australia and New Zealand, and receives many orders for the children’s artworks.
The Department Of Native Affairs agrees that Mrs. Rutter can exhibit and sell the children’s art in Europe, with all money to be used to support the children’s art activities. Mrs. Rutter and her friend Mrs. Vera Hack visit Carrolup for three days at the end of January 1950, soon after the Department Of Native Affairs has moved the girls away to missions. The two women receive a rousing welcome from the boys. Mrs. Rutter is amazed by the strong values of the boys and their exemplary behaviour. 'In every way they were exemplary - attentive, interested, appreciative, grateful, polite, unselfish, sporting and physically courageous. I hope that my own grandchildren will develop these traits as definitely as these little aboriginal boys…' Mrs. Rutter is deeply saddened by the squalid conditions in which the children live, and aims to highlight these conditions to the outside world, whilst helping the boys help themselves by earning money from their beautiful art. Before leaving Carrolup armed with more artworks to exhibit and sell, Mrs. Rutter presents Parnell Dempster with a set of oil paints and he creates what is thought to be the first oil painting done by an Australian Aboriginal. |