Joy's snippets: Country

6 August

I'm leaving Wadeye today - actually in the air as I write.

Yesterday I saw an old lady for a health check. I remember her from each time I've been here. She lives in the town but her homeland is a long way away, next to the Moyle River.

She told me about her last visit out there with family. They had a good time hunting for mussels & mud crabs. One of them found human skeletons! They called the police from Darwin, who came and checked it all out, and asked her what she'd like to do with them - leave them there or take them to Darwin for further examination. She said, "I'm hungry, I want some food." After eating, her partner asked her again what she wanted to do with them. She said to leave them there. The Police told her that they were a man and a woman, tribal people. She thinks they are her great great ... (uncertain how many greats) grandparents. She's thinking about having some kind of ceremony before the wet season, and burying them properly.

Wow what a story. I felt privileged. She talked about how when the family is together on the country, they tell stories about the land, and customs.

So I'm on my way to Darwin - sad to be leaving. I'm not sure if I'll be back, but it's hard to imagine never coming back.

It was a good 3 weeks. Good times with patients. And quiet evenings, 2 long weekends to study. And a beach BBQ! Well, Monday was NT Picnic Day. (I think it's to do with the horse racing). We had about 12 staff & families- great fun. It's so beautiful there, and I was glad to get to the beach once this trip.

Off to Royal Darwin Hospital now - for 5 days I'll be in emergency, getting revved up. I'm so looking forward to getting back to Nhulunbuy! Missing Tim a lot. But this emergency caper is recommended for all docs working in Nhulunbuy. It's a good opportunity when I'm passing through. I'm a bit daunted, and glad I'm supernumerary.