Where the Boodie Rats Used to Dig
“Where the Boodie Rats Used to Dig”. What sort of a name for a book is that you might ask? As explained at the book launch by author Ann Williams, it was a throwaway comment from early settler Arnold Daniels during an interview in 1992. When his parents first took up land on the Jerdacuttup River in 1914 they used to get their water “Down by the river where the Boodie rats used to dig”. Boodie rats, aka the Burrowing Bettong have been extinct on the Australian mainland since the 1960s. A thought-provoking little comment which reminds us that change is constant and new land settlement has inevitable and sometimes sad consequences.
Hopefully not for the Carnaby’s cocatoos which accompanied the speeches during the launch.
“Where The Boodie Rats used to Dig” contains the history of settlement in the Jerdacuttup region including the opening of the first Conditional Purchase blocks in 1962 to the development of mining and the coming of Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations.
Robbie Purvis, being one of four remaining settlers of the first 26 blocks present and who still farm their original allocation, was invited to address the gathering. Robbie, who travelled from New South Wales to his Jerdacuttup block “Sandy Camp” spoke of how he came for a holiday 47 years ago and he is still here today.
Next, second of the remaining first settlers and a key speaker at the launch, (former Senator) Winston Crane said, “This is a truly unique place on earth”. Winston acknowledged those who had lost their life during the development of Jerdacuttup. He finished with some lovely anecdotes including when Joe Hughes hit a home run at cricket and when Goldie and Don Benda scored a try at Aussie Rules footy, when Southerners football team had their home ground at Jerdacuttup.
He also spoke with pride of those from Jerdacuttup who served in the armed forces including Bob Warren and his brother Rodney. What stoicism those Vietnam veterans have. It was only recently that Rodney told his story of a “jumping jack” popping up in front of him only days before his return to Australia. Fortunately for him it did not detonate. And what humour, Winston spoke of a rare letter from Rodney dryly reporting, ”Today I came under fire for the first time. I took shelter behind a 10cm palm tree.”
The launch attracted over 170 former and current inhabitants of Jerdacuttup, relatives and descendents to Mary Richardson’s “Springdale Courtyard Cafe” on the evening of 5 December 2009.
Master of Ceremonies and president of the Jerdacuttup Community Association, Niki Crane, commenced proceedings with the Jerdacuttup schoolchildren in school uniform singing the school song, which in itself is such an accomplishment one can see immediately why Jerdacuttup children do so well.
Ann, as author thanked the sponsors for printing of the book who are BHP Billiton, Shire of Ravensthorpe, Southern Scribes and Jerdacuttup Community paid the balance. Ann spoke of how the 448 page book covers a time from the indigenous people to explorers like Flinders, Eyre, Roe and Forrest, finally with a history on each of the farming blocks. Over 287 photographs illustrate the book, bringing the stories to life and frightening the daylights out of those of us who cannot believe the ravages and change which time brings. Richenda Goldfinch was thanked for her contribution with typesetting and design and photographic input.
Playing of a recording of the world famous band The Triffids’ song “Jerdacuttup Man” was almost a religious experience. David McComb, who wrote the music and words and it was said recorded the song in his father’s Jerdacuttup shearing shed would have been so pleased. Silence during the song was only broken by the overhead cries of the cockatoos.
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Officially launching the book, the last of the original settlers present, Don and Joyce Challinger spoke of arriving in Jerdacuttup 47 years ago with five children and now having a family of 21 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. In fact they were responsible for a considerable portion of the crowd with relatives by marriage and blood alike, many coming from near and far. Don spoke of how Ann spent many hours interviewing for the book which took seven years to compile.
In appreciation of their efforts bouquets of flowers and champagne were then presented by one of the newest inhabitants of Jerdacuttup, Louise Latham, to Ann and Richenda.
Dr Lochner, more informally known to all as Manus, addressed the gathering, speaking of what a lovely community we have and then distributing to original settlers and those second generation farmers who remain farming in Jerdacuttup, a bottle of wine each. Not ordinary wine but a Shiraz/Merlot blend, especially labelled “Boodie Rat Red” and grown on his Cape Mount Barren vineyard. Very special indeed!
As a slideshow of nostalgic photographs was continuously looped for the remainder of the evening Mary, ably assisted by her many helpers distributed platters of delightful finger food, while Ann signed books.
Evening deepened into night and great harmony was enjoyed, broken occasionally and with increasing humour, as Niki relayed Dicko’s requests for vehicles to be moved in order that the bus, kindly funded by Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council, might negotiate a path homewards through parked cars.
“Where the Boodie Rats Used to Dig” represents a marvellous social history of the growth of a unique new land farming district, reflecting on the joy of a united challenge and the resourcefulness of those special people who rose to the challenge. Chapters describe the strength of purpose which brought to the isolated community such change as the first school, the Jerdacuttup Hall, (home of the Jerdacuttup Players) and the social and sporting clubs. Stories of the hardships and joys shared of those days, with young families and huge challenges come through with a quiet pride of what, in hindsight, really were ”The best years of our lives”. Ann’s book has documented that period of our history for future generations, for it was a time which will never happen again. Those days are gone as surely as the Boodie rat.
In excess of 200 copies were sold on the night, and further copies are available at the Ravensthorpe Visitor Centre and in Hopetoun and Esperance outlets or directly from Ann 9838 1583.
