From little things, big things grow
And through Vincent's fingers poured a handful of sand
“That was the story of Vincent Lingiari, but this is a story of something much
more.”
Vestey man said, "I'll double your wages
18 quid a week you'll have in your hand"
British Lord Vestey and Vincent Lingiari
Were opposite men on opposite sides
An eight-year long story of power and pride
"This affair, " they told him "It's a matter of state"
Lord Vestey refused to pay his Aboriginal workers, then offered them 18 quid pay for one weeks labour
suggesting that they were against each other and fighting for different causes
British Lord Vestey: Owner of the Wave Hill Station
Vincent Lingiari: An Australian Stockman
Opposing powers
This suggests that this is only one story of many and their are many others from all over Australia that deserve reconcillation
The Aboriginal workers at Wave Hill Station went on strike for 8 years to argue for better pay and working conditions
symbolic of giving the land back to the rightful owner straight back into his palm
The three levels of government in Australia: federal government, state government, and local government.
The historically significant gesture of pouring of a handful of red soil by Gough Whitlam into Vincent Lingiari's hand on 16 August 1975, symbolised the legal transfer of Wave Hill station back to the Gurindji people.
They picked up their swags and started off walking
went on strike
still very minimal money and not enough
this specific event was specific to state but there was so many other causes across the whole of australia that needed to be adressed
$3.70 a week!!!!
Whitlam symbolically handing their land back eight years later – an event which become a catalyst for the Aboriginal land rights movement.
"Two hundred years of history that's falsified"
the years of history before it was invaded, but the history books never told the story of the other side
"Are you ready to tell the other side?"
The story of the European invasion of Australia is generally told from the European point of view.
Now it don’t sound like much but it sure got tongues talking
Vincent Lingiari lead his people as they endured an 8-year long strike from 1966, in response to the terrible wages and working conditions they faced while working for Lord (Samuel) Vestey. It soon became a land rights claim.
again goes along with the songs title as from little actions big change can grow
Whitlam symbolically handing their land back eight years later – an event which become a catalyst for the Aboriginal land rights movement.