Mural pays homage to man & moment
From little things, big things grow — and some of the most important roots of the growth in Australia’s recognition of Indigenous issues are in Katherine, in the Northern Territory.
Vincent Lingiari, who sowed seeds which today bear some fruit, has just grown big on a wall in the town. Last month, a mural of Vincent, depicted when he was a young stockman, was painted on the wall of a building in Railway Terrace in recognition of his importance to Australian history.
For Vincent, a Gurindji man, led the Wave Hill Station walk-off — the longest strike in the nation’s history.
But he is already wired into Australia’s popular culture, through Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody’s song, From Little Things, Big Things Grow. It details the story of how Vincent and his people took on station owner British Lord Vestey …
“Gather round people I’ll tell you a story
An eight year long story of power and pride
’Bout British Lord Vestey and Vincent Lingiari
They were opposite men on opposite sides
Vestey was fat with money and muscle
Beef was his business, broad was his door
Vincent was lean and spoke very little
He had no bank balance, hard dirt was his floor
From little things big things grow ...”
Read the full story here.
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