Musical Dispatch from the Front – The Yuendumu Arch – September 2025
Frank Baarda
Aloha,
Assimilation by stealth is sneaky and subtle. Both the assimilators and the assimilates are often unaware that it’s happening. Many believe it is inevitable and for the best. I believe they’re wrong.
In My Yuendumu Story (P-306) I quote Thalia Anthony and Harry Blagg’s 2012 ‘Report to the Criminology Research Council Grant: CRC 38/09-10- Addressing The “Crime Problem” Of The Northern Territory Intervention’ Their report dealt with the situation in Yuendumu and Lajamanu
Thalia and Harry astutely observed:
… significant changes taking place in the physical layout of the community …
Visitors who were here during what I consider Yuendumu’s golden age (pre-Intervention) are shocked by the results of the fencing frenzy that has taken place in the meantime.
Before becoming a school teacher Harry Jakamarra Nelson became a skilful welder under the tutelage of Max Ternowen and/or Arthur Hutchens. Ted Egan told me that when he was the Superintendent at Yuendumu (1958-1963), a young Harry had welded the gates at the 4-Mile (Ramarrakujurnu) cattle yards.
According to Tommy Jangala Watson, the Yuendumu arch was installed in 1967. I have no doubt that Jakamarra put his hand to welding the arch, but it is a testament to his rare modesty that nowhere can I find a written record of his contribution.
David Nash photographed the arch when he first came to Yuendumu in 1978. The oval shaped Yuendumu Magpies shield that we all remember, had not yet been installed when David took his photo.
There again, avid football enthusiast Jakamarra probably instigated the placing of the shield. Sometime between then and now the shield vanished.
Many visitors and residents have the nostalgic memory of entering Yuendumu through the welcoming archway, proudly crowned by the Yuendumu Football Club emblem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnvTt35X-Rw
The Andrews Sisters - Underneath The Arches 1948
A few months ago I was alerted to a BBQ being held at the council office. Always being one to enjoy a free feed, I sauntered over. The occasion was the display of artist impressions of several designs of replacement arches. Whilst munching on our free snags we were quizzed regarding our preferences. A bevy of BBQees (mostly newbie Kardiya) then rushed a few hundred meters due east to where some Hi-Viz clad CDP workers proceeded to dismantle and remove the old arch.
I have been privileged to examine some laminated architect drawings showing the new design of the replacement arch. My research has added a word to my vocabulary – plinth! The top of the arch has the English words ‘Welcome to Yuendumu.’ A pair of de-contextualized large magpies sit on the plinths.
I was happy to know that the steel work for the new arch will be in accordance with AS 4100-1998, and the concrete in accordance with AS 3600-2001. Of even greater importance, Damp-proofing to Walls will comply with NCC performance requirements FP1.5
Yuendumu has now been archless until further notice. I suspect all funding has been used up on design consultation and planning.
When I told Jangala Watson that it was proposed for the replacement arch to be installed past the police station, further east from the old site, he was horrified. “They are taking all our memories” is how he phrased it.
Aloha
(like Italian ciao, Hawaiian aloha means both hello and goodbye according to google-translate)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoSjq31K3aM
Atahualpa yupanqui - Camino del indio