Image Credit: Ian Meechan
Introduction
Throughout this course, I have referred to the place I live and work in, One Arm Point, so for this assignment, I thought it would make perfect sense to continue to focus on the area. I decided to produce a book for my self-directed project as it was something I'd never attempted before and would provide a good learning curve for future units.
OCA Assessment Criteria
Knowledge - One Arm Point is an Indigenous community in the Dampier Peninsula of Western Australia. The Bardi Jawi name refers to the saltwater people. Bardi refers to the land, and Jawi to the islands just offshore in the Indian Ocean. The society's cultural foundations are thousands of years old; however, this changed when pearl fishing became popular, bringing in foreign workers from all over Asia. The introduction of the Sunday Island mission brought religion into the community, which caused some division between families, but this has eased as time progressed. Ultimately this was the catalyst for building the school at Ardyaloon, One Arm Point, where I live and work.
Understanding - In contrast to other areas of Australia impacted by the influx of foreign influences, their town, Ardyaloon, is passionate about trying to retain its history and traditions alive.
I had difficulty obtaining any research about the community as there isn't a lot of literature available in the library or online. The only documentation I could find was a Bardi Jawi dictionary, my school's own produced book 'Our World' and technical guides to the Bardi plantlife and wildlife of the area. There are some ABC news reports and Government reports about the place, but apart from this, very little. As I'm also British, I have to be careful when speaking to the Elders and community, as even now, there is still a stigma involved regarding both countries' histories.
I recalled a book I purchased several years ago titled Glasgow's Miles Better. Glasgow is the place of my birth, and the book is a collection of short interviews with prominent people who have connected with the city of Glasgow through nationality, careers or experiences.
I also discovered a website called Humans of New York, which shared a similar theme to the Glasgow book. Both of which inspired me to look at alternative methods of information gathering.
As this was going to be problematic to research, I considered collecting more information by conducting short interviews, providing me with greater insight and a personal feel for the people of Ardyaloon rather than a generic response.
Application - Having worked there for nearly three years, I felt the best approach to the assignment was to explain my intentions for the interviews fully. During this time, I built a good relationship with Elders, families and students so the interviewees and I would feel comfortable in each other company, providing me with the information I would require to produce the book.
As I have never produced a book before, I have created several presentations using Apple software such as Keynote and Pages instead of using bespoke publishing software. (Apple Applications equivalent to Powerpoint and Microsoft Word). Being familiar with these programs made the creation simpler for me; however, I will learn at least one of the book publishing applications in the future.
I researched guides on how to present a book, and with some trial and error, I decided to use the design shown on my learning log. I've included sketches of my initial ideas for designs in the learning log.
I considered handwritten notes during the interviews; however, this became impractical even for short interviews. I discovered an AI application called Otterai transcribing live speech to text, which allowed greater flexibility and helped to encourage the community members to relax and talk freely to me.
With the practical tools in place, I arranged interviews with community members, helping me produce the text shown on the book's pages.
Reflection: I wanted to produce a book that was simplistic in design but informative and attractive. As this was my first time creating a book, it has given me the incentive to try to do more. I've learned that there has to be a balance between the literacy and visual appearance of the final product. I'm happy with the book's overall design, but I'm sure I can do better, and I will attempt a more complicated product next time.
Goodnotes Application
Otter.ai Application
Glasgow's Miles Better Book and Humans of New York
Note: Brian, the gentleman in the white hat sadly passed away a few weeks after this was taken. Auntie Violet on the left kindly gave me permission to use my photo in this assignment.
Both were instrumental in building the school at One Arm Point where I live and work.
Auntie Violet - Front Left
Assignment Interviews
Name: Auntie Violet - Elder
Location: One Arm Point Remote Community School
IM – Good Morning, how are you?
AV – I am fine, how long will this take?
IM – Thank you so much, I promise it won’t take long and thank you for meeting me.
AV – That’s ok, I have a ladies meeting in half an hour.
AV – I attended the mission on Sunday Island until it closed 1960 but unfortunately, we were not allowed to go back to One Arm Point and was forced to stay in Derby. Eventually my family returned after walking the distance from Derby to One Arm Point.
IM – I’ll make sure I’m quick. I just have a couple of questions about the time you and Brian met and how did the school come about.
AV – There’s a yarn (Story), (Laughs). Brian was a pilot, flying into Broome for the pearlers at the time. Occasionally, he would have to come up to One Arm Point and Djarindjin Airport for the pearlers up there to go and work at Cygnet Bay. The he started to come up more and more frequently. I soon realised that any excuse was made so he could come and see me as he’d taken a shine to me. After a while we became boyfriend and girlfriend then got married.
AV – After a while we felt that the children of the area should have the foundations of a proper education but keeping the traditional values of our Bardi Jawi culture and that’s how the school became a reality. I’m proud of the teachers who still to this day work ever so hard to help the children.
IM – Thank you Auntie Violet. I’m so sorry for your recent loss and this interview may have brought back memories, but I hope they are good ones and I know Brian was thrilled when he saw the stage in both your honour. It’s been wonderful to speak to you and thank you for your time.
AV – You’re welcome, I’d best be off now for another meeting.
IM – I don’t know how you manage it, I know staff half your age who would be exhausted.
Jacquie Hunter
Assignment Interviews
Name: Jacquie Hunter
Location: One Arm Point Remote Community School
I – Hi Jacquie, thanks for waiting after school to help me with this assignment.
J – No problem, you’ve helped me with my studies so it’s nice to return the favour.
I – Thank you. This exercise asks me to produce a book so I thought about a brief history of One Arm Point and the Bardi Jawi People. Can you give me a short overview from your perspective of life in Ardyaloon.
J – To be honest, apart from the business side of the school, it’s a quiet place to live where everyone gets on with things from day to day. We have an abundance of plants that cover anything from food supplies to medicine so there’s really no need to go to the community shop that much. Fishing is a pastime that everyone wants to do all the time. The culture here is if you get a big catch, it must be distributed amongst everyone in the community. We share anything we catch our cultivate between the families here. It’s a system that has worked for thousands of years so why change it.
I – I noticed this recently when one of the community offered me some mud crab.
J - During the six seasons we can eat Turtle and Dugong. They are a protected species but not for us here as traditionally it’s part of our staple diets. I can’t eat any seafood though as I’m allergic.
I – That must have caused you some problems?
J – It’s ok if I’m careful, especially when there is a big catch coming in.
I – Thank you Jacquie, I understand you must go to class so have a good day.
J – You’re welcome.
Estelle Xavier
Assignment Interviews
Name: Estelle Xavier
Location: One Arm Point Remote Community School (Library)
I – Hi Estelle, I can’t believe we have worked with each other for over 3 years now. Where does the time go?
E – (Laughs) I know. Who would have thought that when Annie (my partner and teacher at the school) started as a relief teacher that it would have ended up with a contract? You should be very proud of her.
I – I am proud of her, and it ended up with me getting me the IT Support job too. You must be wondering why I’ve asked you here today?
E – The thought had crossed my mind.
I – (At this point Estelle is familiar that I am studying for a degree as we have talked about this as I am helping tutor her to apply for a teaching post at the school). Can you tell me about yourself?
E – My name is Estelle Xavier. I originally started 10 years ago at the school as a cleaner and through time was approached by the principle who asked me if I could assist the pre-primary class. Since then, I’ve progressed to head attendance officer, teaching kindergarten, 6th year students. I’m now looking forward to the next stage of my journey learning to be a primary school teacher with John Curtin University.
I – You said I was proud of Annie but I’m also proud of what you have achieved too.
E - Thank you Ian, you’re too kind.
I – I know you’re wondering what this is all about so without further ado I’d like to ask you about the Bali’s at the beach.
E – The Bali’s a erected for individual families and are regarded as sacred. Each one is individual and is decorated by the owning family.
I – I see that there’s a large one at the end of the rest. What’s that for?
E – The large one has been erected for community use. Anyone can use it but not for everything. For example, you wouldn’t be expected to have a party there with loud music, so respect is the most important thing. It would also be a good idea to ask an Elder for permission before you do. Just to keep you on the right track.
I – So how long have you had yours?
E – It’s been in the family for as long as I can remember. Some keep them looking good all the time and others just leave them as they are.
I – Thank you Estelle. We have shelters up in the mountains in Scotland called Bothey’s which are shelters for the travellers walking up and down the mountains and hills. Although it’s slightly different that the Bali, I believe they both offer a kind of shelter for those who enter them.
E – Yes, I agree. When I need to get away to think, I’ll go there as it’s a special place.
I – Thank you Estelle for your time.
Note: These are condensed extracts from longer interviews conducted. They have been edited for context with general conversation not relevant to the assignment removed.
References:
contact=, corporateName=Tourism W.A. address=;, n.d. Annual Report [WWW Document]. Tourism Western Australia. URL http://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/About-us/Strategies-plans-reports/Pages/Annual-Report.aspx (accessed 7.28.22).
Derby to One Arm Point [WWW Document], n.d. . Derby to One Arm Point. URL https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Derby,+Western+Australia+6728/One+Arm+Point,+Dampier+Peninsula+WA/@-17.091105,122.6682445,9z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x2c7c4ed48e92eae3:0x400f6382479c800!2m2!1d123.6401839!2d-17.309288!1m5!1m1!1s0x2c64a9adc5d94593:0x710109d23399a16f!2m2!1d123.0431368!2d-16.4731619!3e2 (accessed 7.28.22).
Discover the amazing Dampier Peninsula in Australia’s North West. [WWW Document], n.d. . Broome Visitor Centre. URL https://www.visitbroome.com.au/see-and-do/dampier-peninsula (accessed 7.28.22).
Marine Monitoring of Sea Country Workshop - for Healthy People and Healthy Country, 2019.
Myoorrd - Traditional Fish Trapping - Our Stories, Season 2018 Episode 3, n.d.
One Arm Point - Attraction - Tourism Western Australia [WWW Document], n.d. . Western Australia. URL https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/pages/attraction (accessed 7.28.22).
One Arm Point [WWW Document], n.d. . Western Australia. URL https://www.australias.guide/wa/attraction-tour/one-arm-point/ (accessed 7.28.22).
Proposed marine parks in the Buccaneer Archipelago and surrounds, 2021.
Sharing Marine Monitoring in Bardi Jawi Sea Country, 2021.
Statistics, c=AU; o=Commonwealth of A. ou=Australian B. of, n.d. Services for Libraries [WWW Document]. URL https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/Home/Services%20for%20Libraries%20-%20Historical%20Census%20Data (accessed 7.28.22).
WA marine park draft plan to protect traditional methods and cultural practices | ABC News, 2020.
OCA Assessment Criteria
Knowledge
Understanding
Application