Tribute to Uncle Bill

It is with great sadness that we share the news about the passing of Uncle Bill, Wirrigan Aboriginal Elder, whom many of you may remember from the Indigenous Plants for Health (IPHA) Field Day, the Papania festival here at Kawalang or from other occasions.

Uncle Bill conducted smoking ceremonies here, his ‘mother’s, mother’s country’, for family, friends and wonderful newcomers to the property, keen to share culture and connection. Uncle Bill had a long yarn with everyone about life, respect for country, each other and culture. He was profoundly devoted to teaching non-Indigenous people about Indigenous culture, believing that was key to bringing people together, building bridges so that we could come together as a strong community. And he was deeply devoted to his community, strengthening culture, enterprise and wellbeing.

Incredibly nurturing, patient and generous with his time, Uncle Bill told us that ‘we had the gig now’, that we were the ones caring for this land, and had responsibility to listen to the land, messages in the wind, wildlife, and to act with respect. He gave us the name for our place, ‘Kawalang’, which means ‘abundance’ in Wonnarua language and loved coming here. He would be up early in the morning to have a walk around, breathe in country.

Uncle Bill died late one Sunday afternoon, on August 29, 2021. Brynnie was painting under the eaves of our new kitchen workshop when out of nowhere there was a sudden downpour, yet with a gentleness. Under the eaves she just managed to keep dry. There were no real clouds around for that kind of rain, and she laughed and said to the rain ‘where did you come from?!’ After a few moments, the rain stopped, and Brynnie stepped out from under the eaves. A stunning rainbow over Kawalang filled the sky. It was awesome. We’ve never seen a rainbow like that here before. Keith came out and we stood taking it in for a long time, watching its double form and both arcs eventually fade. The next day we learned Uncle Bill died around that time.

We miss Uncle Bill heaps, and send condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren for whom he was a rock of support and love. We think of that rainbow, and are deeply grateful, feel him in our lives, in the land, teaching with love.