INSPIRE NEWSCAST

Mrs Joan Mitchell Dr Ian S. Mitchell

Tel. (02) 5105 4899 48 / 15 Burnie St
Mobile 0423 037 705 Lyons ACT 2606
Email ian,joan.mitchell@gmail.com

Mr Robert Douglas

Dear Robert

I have just l purchased and read your biography of your Dad and want to thank you for putting on the record his enormous contribution to Missions and the recording Aboriginal languages.

Although I did not keep in touch with him over the years, we met in his Kalgoorlie home when I was on my way out to Warburton Ranges as the first headmaster after the government assumed responsibility for education on mission stations. It would have been in 1957. Somehow between alighting from the Perth-Kalgoorlie train and boarding the Kalgoorlie to Leonora line, it was suggested we visit the Douglas’s since there was a few hours to spare.

We had hardly shaken hands when Dad gave us his books (the first illustrated dictionary and the Grammar – both of which I still have) and encouraged – no, urged, no harangued us into learning at least some of the words and sounds. Dad’s enthusiasm was boundless and convincing! It was very obvious that if one was to communicate with people of a different language, it was necessary to speak and at least partially understand the underlying cultural values that made the system work. I was staggered to know that some missionaries opposed this position but I certainly “saw it in action.” Whether it was spear fights, health issues or family, without any comprehension of tribal structure and culture, one was of no use at all.

Once a boy of about 12 came into the mission as part of his walkabout with his family, having never set eyes on a “walpalla” Staff of the mission home had showered and dressed him and brought him into the school, which in those days was the church, community centre, meeting place and so on. Since the Education Department demanded that I use the best Queen’s English at every school, I asked the boy to “sit down.” When I said, “nina kati” he was happy to comply. The fact that he sat the wrong way round, causing raucous laughter by the others, again showed the need to understand his perception of sitting, i.e. in a circle facing one another. This parking in rows was obviously stupid!

For me, Wilfrid Douglas was the model missionary, and his help incalculable. At the time I was studying for my first degree – in Australian History! Studying at night by kerosene lantern was certainly not ideal! But Wilf’s arguments were strong enough to convince me to change to anthropology. We caught up again when he was lecturing at W.A. Uni.

I will never forget his occasional trips to Warbo’s and the children’s delighted screams “Mitha Douglath! Mitha Douglath!” (with an interdental “th” but no ‘s’. No other white guest was accorded such a welcome.

Thanks again for the record

Ian Mitchell