Under the Barkley Sky: Surviving the Arrival of the Papulanyi draws on many roots that the author has carefully nurtured over time. The story is shaped by a rich and varied life experience, which informs the pathways explored within the book.
The author grew up in a family connected to wheat and sheep farming in the Mallee and Wimmera regions of Victoria. During his school holidays, he frequently worked alongside Aboriginal stockmen who nicknamed him ‘Cobber.’ These formative experiences – tending to sheep, cattle, and horses – left a lasting impression on him.
After leaving school at sixteen, he began work as a junior clerk in the Naval Department and briefly considered a career in the Navy. However, a senior officer in the Northern Territory recognised the value of his rural background and encouraged him to become a Patrol Officer working with Aboriginal communities on pastoral properties.
He accepted the opportunity and relocated to Darwin, where he was appointed as a Cadet Patrol Officer. He subsequently served in several reserves across the Northern Territory, including Bagot, Umbakumba, and Lajamanu, undertaking a wide range of responsibilities in the North.
Under the Barkly Sky
In Under the Barkly Sky, Stuart Phillpot provides a comprehensive history of the Barkly Region’s Traditional Owners. This well-researched book chronicles the resilience of the Wumparrani peoples over 150 years in the face of colonisation, cultural erosion, and changing government policies. Phillpo...
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