Firstly on behalf of all Alice’s family, extended families, and friendship groups stretching from Maningrida, Darwin, Alice Springs, down to Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and beyond, we would like to express our gratitude for all the well wishes and support shown to us in these last few months.

Alice died on June 4. It was a huge shock to us all.

The decision was made to bury Alice in Brisbane (June 16) it was attended by over 650 people including 36 representatives from Maningrida. But there were always plans to stage a memorial for her back in Maningrida so people could pay their respects. This was held in early October, including a three day bush camp and memorial held at the Maningrida School.

We understand that so many people don’t know what words to say, to us, to anyone…

In view of this extraordinary time, we are ‘mixing up the personal with the business’ for a news update to better inform our supporters and gallery friends of how we  are gradually processing all this, in the two places where Alice spent her life, Brisbane and Maningrida.

 

Many of us arrived in Maningrida on the Thursday; touching base, saying hello, looking around town and getting supplies.

Thanks to Simon, BJ, Shane and friends who had set up a beautiful bush camp and kitchen out on Alice’s mother's country.

 

A place to meet to cook to eat and to share

The sun sets and the fire looms

Matthew busies himself in the kitchen

Noni, Katrina and Grace mark a welcome and thanks

People speak openly over our meal

We all reflect on the magnitude of the place

Full moon on the rise over the Arafura

 

On Saturday people wake up to beautiful morning

Swim and refresh

Careful of the roaming croc…only a small one.

 

People scatter to hunt and gather a smorgasboard of bush favourites

Simon shuttle runs the boat to Kabalko (Entrance Island)

All the yokkarra (fish) are caught (Barramundi, Golden trevally and Queeenfish)

All the shellfish are gathered:

Djoldjolaridda (mud scallops) 

Njayurnka (mud pippies/cockles)

Wengala (pippies)

Njamanja (mud mussels) 

 

Matthew’s spices finely ground in the morter and pestle of the artist

He along with Lucy and BJ fillet the fish for the camp oven curries and ceviche.

 

Cindy and Janelle ask everyone to gather by the fire

The special branches are brought in for the ‘smoking .‘

Aunties Lena and Monica with Grace, Noni and I are hugging each other.

We gather in the smoke and walk around one by one, ‘til we are crying…

‘Til we feel cleansed.

This is a church service that Alice would have wanted

Her mother Helen still frail in hospital but so many family and friends with her now.

 

On Sunday afternoon we make our way back to Maningrida town.

Shower and rest.

Monday there is a community ceremony held at the school

Thanks so much to Nat, Jess, Roy and Mitch for orchestrating this.

 

There are stories, songs and tributes.

Nat and Jess sing and play a song. Eddie, Geoffrey, Cindy and Charlie all speak.

A canoe full of flowers…

And a (water) cleansing ceremony

Some more tributes and memories, gifts and dancing

 

We all share the space now that Alice has left and we reflect on how we might be able to fill it.

Each night up there were big full moons, beautiful discs hovering over the Arafura sea.

The poetic mystery of the place, and that of Alice Daiguma too.

We haven’t stopped talking about that.

Commemorative street art on Boundary St, West End by artist Draple 

 

Photos courtesy of Michael Eather, Katrina Channells and Joe Hinchcliffe