There are reports out there that Rolf Harris is racist. So, I ordered Rolf Goes Bush published in 1975. It arrived this morning. I opened it just now, whilst sitting in the garden and had to come back in to write this, for this man is NO racist at all, just as he is NO paedophile either! (please see the many threads on my page about the latter, including the one directly under this thread) I am only on Page ONE, and already there is this, written by Rolf himself: ...It all started with being asked to do the first concert in the new Sydney Opera House. I was thrilled and determined to make the show as Australian as I could. I wanted fifteen backing singers who were young, enthusiastic, and sounded like Australians when they sang, and I also put in a request for David Blanasi and Djoli Laiwonga. These two are full-blood Aboriginal from Bamyili in the Northern Territory. My association with them began with David in 1967, when he was the first full-blood aboriginal to make the trip to England since Bennelong went home with Phillip in 1792. David flew over for my television show, stayed with us in London and loved it, said the house was a good place to camp, and mentioned that the television theatre would make a good cave. He was stunningly good on television, with tremendous dignity and manhood and humour coming through - a big hit. He said that next time, I should bring his brother, Djoil, over and as well as hearing David play the didgeridoo, we could see and hear Djoli dance and sing. I ran into David again in 1969 in the first walkabout I did when we called in on him at his home in Bamyili. We got on very well again and I met Djoli, a very shy man when it comes to communicating in English, laughing to cover his embarrassment, but a joy to watch in his songs and dances. Next time I saw them was as members of the Australian entertainment at Expo 70 in Japan. David and Djoli were on the show at the Opera House and through them I met Bert Bolton, whom Id met briefly once before. They always stay with Bert when they are in Sydney, they are great mates. During breaks in rehearsal the subject of walkabouts cropped up and David said Why dont you come with us? We see how you live in the city, why dont you come and see how we live? Plenty of good bush tucker - come and see my land!...... Ill let you know more, as I progress further into this lovely book.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 14:45:51 +0000
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