'Right then,' he said with a sigh, and then turned to me with a grin.'I tell you story, eh!'Then he said something which really floored me: 'I been waiting for you. You been waiting for me.'And so began Bill Neidjie's relationship with English photographer, Mark Lang.Known as 'Old Man' in this book, but often called 'Big Bill Neidjie' throughout his life because of his imposing height and strength, Bill Neidjie wanted to record aspects of his life for a younger generation of Gagadju, to help them look after their country and remember its stories — and for balanda, non-Aboriginal people.Told in the old man's words, this beautifully nuanced, impressionistic account allows Neidjie to gently emphasise the issues of importance to him. Old man's story has a very personal inflection with Neidjie's words complemented by Lang's beautiful landscape photos. Structured in the cycle of the seasons, Old man's story provides readers with insights into the annual trans-formation of landscape that are so integral to Neidjie's life story.5 stars for Old Man's Story from Books + Publishing! Here's another great review for Old Man's Story in Wild Magazine
Bill Neidjie was the keeper of ancient knowledge and the last speaker of the Gagaudju language from northern Kakadu. He is the author of Australia's Kakadu Man, Gagudju Man: Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, and Story About Feeling. Mark Lang is a renowned landscape photographer.
"Between these covers--profoundly beautiful images, words, and ideals." --Phillip Adams, columnist, The Australian
'Right then,' he said with a sigh, and then turned to me with a grin. 'I tell you story, eh!' Then he said something which really floored me: 'I been waiting for you. You been waiting for me.' And so began Bill Neidjie's relationship with English photographer, Mark Lang. Known as 'Old Man' in this book, but often called 'Big Bill Neidjie' throughout his life because of his imposing height and strength, Bill Neidjie wanted to record aspects of his life for a younger generation of Gagadju, to help them look after their country and remember its stories -- and for balanda, non-Aboriginal people. Told in the old man's words, this beautifully nuanced, impressionistic account allows Neidjie to gently emphasise the issues of importance to him. Old man's story has a very personal inflection with Neidjie's words complemented by Lang's beautiful landscape photos. Structured in the cycle of the seasons, Old man's story provides readers with insights into the annual trans-formation of landscape that are so integral to Neidjie's life story. 5 stars for Old Man's Story from Books + Publishing! Here's another great review for Old Man's Story in Wild Magazine
"Between these covers--profoundly beautiful images, words, and ideals."