Helen McCarthy Tyalmuty

Landmarks - Mirrindja Hills, 2023

151 × 120 cm Acrylic on Linen

Not Available

Marindja (Mirrindja) is one of the most sighted landmarks my grandfather and families used when travelling through the mainlands from the top coast of Australia.

They travelled looking for food ( wallabies, goanna, turtles & magpie geese). Walking towards the hill and slowly continuing to their destination following familiar landmarks e.g. boulders, waterholes, and creeks. Once arrived they'd burn off and wait for the next two days. The early morning fog would rest on the burnt land and give moisture to allow new growth. At dawn animals would go and my family would hunt them; feasting a week or more. The Marindja hill also guided them on the path to attend ceremonies in surrounding Aboriginal lands. During World War Two they escaped to pine creek by passing this hill. This hill is seen as the passage my Ancestors took. He guided them.