Turning the Tide

Abstract

The intensity of the unknown for the Badtjala people and the English, I imagine, would have created a heightened sense of curiosity upon seeing one another. In May of 1770, many Aboriginal sovereign nations watched a foreign vessel, the Endeavour, sail up the eastern coast for days, passing nation after nation, who communicated with one another about its progress. The Badtjala people were unique because – as not many people in the world would be aware – they created a song recounting what happened when the ship passed by our country on May 20th of that year. The gaze went both ways.

This lecture reflects on the encounter that took place between the Badtjala and the English in 1770. It includes the screening of Foley’s 2019 film Out of the Sea Like Cloud (10min) and song performed by Teila Watson.