Harry Wirrimbitj

‘I grew up in Yurrwi when the mission was here. I went to Milingimbi mission school. It was a manymak (good) school because we learnt good English there and our parents were teaching us Yolŋu-matha at home. In my school days I went to Melbourne and then to Maitland in Sydney. As a man I went to Brisbane with a group of boys to do buŋgul (ceremony) with other men.

The missionaries left in the 70s and from there the government took over. I went to school here right up to age 16 when I went to Darwin for pre-apprenticeship training. When I got all my certificates I came back to Milingimbi and started working in the mechanic workshop with James Djaŋgalan. James had learnt from my father’s brother Harry Durmarriny. I don’t know how many years I worked at the mechanic workshop, but after I finished there I worked as a sport and rec. officer. When I moved to Galiwin’ku I joined the building team with my uncle.

My wife was born at Galiwin’ku. Our son was born in Darwin during cyclone Tracy. Lucky I was staying in a brick house that was strong. I also grew-up the children for my galay (wife’s sisters). I was working hard to make money to look after them all.

My father is an artist but he doesn’t paint artwork to sell. He is making miny’tji (paintings) only for ceremony and teaching children. The last painting he made was of the octopus. My father worked with Reverand Bäpa Wells helping him with the church and at the community office. After the Mission time he went to Galiwin’ku and he was working at the resource centre. My mother was also working at the Mission in Milingimbi and as a house cleaner.’

Wirrimbitj has now retired and continues to live at Yurrwi with his wife and extended family. He is a member of Mala Community Advisory Board and enjoys regularly visiting the community aged-care and Art Centre.