The story of a dog, whose paws are firmly planted in the red soil of the Kimberleys and the sandy beach of Twofold Bay, is being shared thanks to Wonboyn author Susie Sarah.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
When Ms Sarah first heard the fascinating story of of Jila she knew it was something she had to share, and so her latest picture book was written.
When Jila was a pup, it rained and rained forming puddles in the red desert dirt of the Kimberley. She was found, almost drowning in one of those puddles, coated in red sticky mud, so they named her Jila which means ‘water’ in Gooniyandi.
Jila is a typical camp dog, part dingo, part heeler, part mongrel. She’s not particularly beautiful but she is strong with muscular legs, built up by the constant patrolling of her territory. She is a dog constantly on the move.
The tiny community at the Yiyili Aboriginal Community School where she lives is home to a vibrant community of artists and crafts people who create beautiful paintings and wooden carvings based on dreamtime stories.
Jila, was plucked out of the puddle and saved from certain death by Nick Try the headmaster of the school.
Jila grew as did Nick’s family – almost every year a baby appeared and they looked much like little fat, white witchetty grubs to the Yiyili mob.
It was important to the grannies and the tribe that these children had tribal names and were part of the community.
Every Christmas, when the school closed for holidays, Jila and her family leave the Kimberly and head south east for the summer break to visit Nick’s wife Kate’s parents in Eden.
Kate’s parents Trish and Richard Lamacraft live at the top of a hill overlooking Twofold Bay.
Ms Sarah’s book follows the journey Jila and her family have taken for many years between the Kimberley and Twofold Bay.
On Sunday, July 2, Ms Sarah will officially launch her picture book, The Kimberley Camp Dog at the Eden Killer Whale Museum.
Members of the public, especially children, are invited to attend the book launch and to hear Jila’s unique story.
On top of this, the young and the young at heart will get the change to meet Jila as she will be flying down from the Kimberley.
The book will be launched by Kerri Brady, the president of the Far South Coast Animal Welfare League.
Ms Sarah is asking that members of the public bring along a can of dog food or some biscuits to be donated to the Animal Welfare League.
As well as getting the chance to meet, pat, have a photo with and maybe even get a puppy paw print signature from the famous dog (Jila), there will also activities for children such as colouring.
Ms Sarah will also be there to sign books.
The story will be read out by Trish Lamacraft, the Eden grandmother of Jila’s family.
It’s all kicking off at the Eden Killer Whale Museum at 1pm, all invited.