RAE1950

Title: A message stick collected by Sam Rae at Fitzroy Crossing

Item type: message stick in a private collection

Notes: Email from Margaret Rowell to PK on 15 May 2025: "Many thanks for the excellent program on the ABC's LNL this week. Attached is a photo of a treasured message stick from my late parent/s. My maternal grandfather, Sam Rae, was a policeman in Fitzroy Crossing. He was also a photographer. A collection of his photos are archived in the WA State Library, BA2596/1: Samuel Rea collection of photographs. Album 1, BA2596/2: Samuel Rea collection of photographs. Album 2 My Father the late Keith Rowell, worked for BHP and opened up Yampi Sound in WA, Groote Island and Weipa. However if my memory is correct they were in the house before the late 1950,s, so if from him from the Kimberly area While at Monash in the late sixties I was a member of ABSCOL and spent most summer holidays between Port Augusta and one summer on Groote Island, and spent time with the Victorian community as a clinician until my retirement . So that probable explains the message stick now been with me. I am unable to attach the photo so I will send in separate email. I would appreciate any information that could help identify its origin. Many thanks, Best wishes, Margaret Rowell" PK replied 19.05.2025: "Many thanks Margaret, Do you mind if I include this message stick in the Australian Message Stick Database? And do you deduce that this particular message stick was collected at Fitzroy Crossing based on the fact that it was in the house prior to 1950 and was therefore likely to have been collected by your grandfather rather than your father? I am unable to guess its origin based on the design though I hope this will change when I have managed to code the database properly with standard descriptions. There is one from the Kimberley that looks quite similar here: https://amsd.clld.org/contributions/NMA1985_0065_0098#4/-15.53/127.15 All the best, Piers" MR replied 19.05.2025: "Dear Piers, Thanks. I am still uncertain as to wether they came from the maternal or paternal side of the family. No I don’t mind , in fact am delighted if the photo is included in your data base. Best wishes, Margaret"

Media Files:

Data Entry: Piers Kelly