Reading this Heidi, I feel a great sense of warmth.
A sense of safety knowing that people like you, the next generation, are making connections in a world more isolated and disconnected than ever.

Disconnected from each other and disconnected from the spirit of the land.

Even many aboriginals have long lost this connection.
Poisoned by “white” settlement they have unwittingly embraced the worst of “our” culture and caused great conflict among themselves.

Your work is a beautiful thing and to realise your gift and embrace it despite the adversity thrust upon you is so cool.

In awe. Keep safe, keep rockin’

Most every immigrant to Australia would have arrived on these shores feeling uprooted; having left behind in their country of origin some heart connection to land and culture that would be nigh impossible to relocate (despite the best efforts). Being an ex-pat American I am aware of how even English speaking people can feel deracinated upon arrival here in Tasmania.

What you hint at Heidi in your article is that, to make oneself grounded in a new land, the key word must be “reciprocity”: the giving and taking from each other what positive gifts of culture and understanding of land that is within us. Your trip to the Yugul Mangi community would have been a sharing of knowledge, not a one way street of meddlesome intentions. My guess is that, despite the pain of separation from new heart connections to another’s culture and land, you have brought back to Tasmania some small seed of wisdom that will support you, and us, in our attempts to create a more caring, healthy and happy Tasmania that we can all call home.

I admire tremendously, Heidi, what you have done and what you (and others) are saying. I wish you all the support necessary and all the goodwill that might be forthcoming.

I fear, however, based on past experience here and elsewhere on the planet, that attitudes like yours will only be tolerated as long as they do not result in significant changes to how those with power operate within the social and physical environment that we all share and need.

Walking softly on the earth makes one vulnerable to the bulldozers (both physical and metaphorical) that are designed to crush humanity, peace, harmony and love.  In fact, the existence of people who hold such values is a challenge which those in power dare not avoid, lest their power be eroded.  People who think as you do have achieved a lot, but many, many of them have been killed, raped, maimed or simply marginalised.

Good luck from a very old and very cynical supporter.

From Heidi’s writings it seems that she felt needed, loved and respected during her visit. Often when on holidays we let down our guard and have wonderful experiences with others. Then we return to our regular lives and all the mundane daily activities that involves. We all need to take some time to show we need each other and love and respect each other regardless of gender, culture, religion etc. It makes a strong community to recognize and value difference while recognizing all our similarities.

Tasmania has a wonderful sense of community compared to other States as it still has a small population. We are all fortunate to be here and must protect this wonderful aspect of Tasmanian life.

Hobart is strong in country presence but it doesnt take musch by way of wall, auto and pavement to dampen it enough to be lost to many.

I have presented a few paintings tagged:
“Citizens gradually internalise.  Natures physical breath is filtered out by walls and pavements.  Place becomes cultural first, natural second – but we thrive on nature. The ecological chickens come home to roost in the offices of the sprawl.  Knock, knock…we know you’re home mother of Hobart.

This is part of a series of embryonic oil sketches & painted notions; the first of a new passion.  They are developed from historical images, contour plans, in-situe observation and contemporary photos from rooftop highpoints. 

None of the scenes are views already painted or sketched at settlement times.

Biological, cultural and geological research will be further developed as this series is extended.”

Part of the motive for these painting is my research into the potentials of bring the pre-british land into our urban Hobart. There is much potential. Simple things like pavement harking to the tidal mudsands below the Davey Stfootpath at the TMAG and putting a bow-bend in Davey Street at Dunn Place and ways unlimited by imagination.

The country is the touchstone between the urbinous and indigenous. Many are dead to it. Lots of work to be done in schools and arts.

Albert Gallopilong lives here:

http://http://www.bookstore.bookpod.com.au/p/514199/wow-hows-the-house-now.html  wow HOWS THE HOUSE now and at shops.

Mont