Stay Connected

Life Style

A long, slow road

Photography by Photojournalist Ingetje Tadros
Words by Amy Corderoy | Design by Kathleen Vrinat


Quane (1 yr) and Marjorie (5 yr) (L to R) love to play in the sand dunes which are behind their home in Kennedy Hill. For these kids this is a giant playground. Marjorie decided to use her birthday hat to collect pieces of broken glass mixed with beautiful shells. They are happy and unaware of the problems their Community is dealing with. Broome, Western Australia.

It’s a world the rest of Australia would never know existed. Photojournalist Ingetje Tadros spent more than six months in Kennedy Hill, a remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia, documenting the lives of its residents.

“The Hill”, as locals call it, is at risk of closure due to loss of federal funding for remote communities. A large shell midden nearby indicates it has been a living area since before colonisation.

Despite the nearby town of Broome receiving 30,000 visitors each year, photojournalist Ingetje Tadros says she was shocked by the poverty at Kennedy Hill. Many of the residents live in condemned houses.

“First of all I was appalled that people are living in such poverty in a country like Australia,” Tadros says. “But the people opened up their homes for me.”

“I’ve learned so much from countrymen and women: Their relationship within their families, the strong family ties, to know who they are and know where the come from.”

She says many elders and community leaders were distressed by Western Australian premier Colin Barnett’s decision to close communities after federal funding was removed.

There are more than 270 remote Indigenous communities in Western Australia, which are home to 12,000 people.

“Taking Country away from people is like committing Spiritual Genocide” she says.

Tadros, who has spent four years documenting the lives of Indigenous Australians, says elders fear the loss of communities will only entrench social disadvantage.

“By closing down communities, ancient knowledge that has been passed down through generations will get lost and people will be lost because of this disconnection that nurtures them physically, emotionally and spiritually,” she says.

“Consequently, poverty, disadvantage, alcoholism, unemployment, etc. – which are contained within communities because of ongoing cultural connection – will be relocated and intensified and brought to the bigger towns.”

Over seven per cent of the Kimberley population is homeless and 90 ninety per cent of this homelessness is comprised of its First Peoples.

An old Aboriginal flag, hanging in a condemned house in Kennedy Hill. The symbolic meaning of the Aboriginal flag is that Black Represents the Aboriginal people of Australia. Yellow, Represents the Sun, the giver of life and protector. Red, Represents the red earth, the red ochre and a spiritual relation to the land. This house has now been demolished. Broome, Western Australia.
Patch and her pups in Kennedy Hill. There are many dog dreaming sites located around the Australian continent and each has its own and often interconnected story of creation and movement of the dingo through the country. Dingoes have been woven into the fabric of Aboriginal life, law and culture. Broome, Western Australia.
Since the day Rebecca (2 yr) was born, she has been in the care of her grandparents Sandy and Patricia. Her mother Deana’s drinking habit was bad and recently she went into rehab. Feed the Little Children delivers twice a week food for the children in Kennedy Hill and here she is sitting with Patricia outside their home and enjoying it all by herself while Creamy is hoping for some scraps. Broome, Western Australia.
Every Friday morning Patricia brings the rubbish bins back to her house in Kennedy Hill while Hooktail, Windy, Patch, Blacky, Bluey and Cojack accompany her. Patricia’ partner Sandy goes away at times, “The house gets too many visitors and Patricia is well protected from any humbug,” her partner Sandy Isaac says. Aboriginal people in contemporary society own dogs for a variety of reasons for companion, protection, spiritual protector, hunter and a source of warmth. Broome, Western Australia.
“No Alcohol permitted in the Community, by order of Mallingbarr Community Council.” This sign is standing right in front of the Office, which is now a condemned building in the Community of Kennedy Hill. The Office was demolished in the early morning of October the first 2014. If it will be replaced remains a question. Broome, Western Australia.
A new bush camp was created after the demolition of the condemned houses in Kennedy Hill. Previous there was a condemned house under the big tree and this house was home to many of the homeless. Broome, Western Australia.
Chrissy turned 21 years old and the Seaside Drifters Band (Broome) from One Mile Community came over to Kennedy Hill for a gig and played in the old Office of Kennedy Hill which has now been demolished. Broome, Western Australia.
Chrissy holding a cup which has the number 21 on it. Chrissy turned 21 years old, her mum Elaine Wiggan said to me; “She is a loving mum and does not drink, she stays home and looks after her two kids.” Broome, Western Australia.
“This house is full of memories, lots of people passed away and passed through and I am still here with me partner Anna and my dogs who’ve now almost all been taken away by the Rangers.” (as Stuart had over 25 dogs in his home) “I’m just here to fix the place up (the problems) in Kennedy Hill.” Said Kennedy Hill resident, Nykiina man, “€˜Billy”€™ Stuart Ah Choo while feeding little Bartholome (1 yr) at his home and accompanied by Rebecca (R) and his beloved dogs Creamy, Black, Patch and Old Six Toe. Broome, Western Australia.
“Canberra has forgotten us, everyone has forgotten us. I worry everyday about this community. I walk into town and speak to the lawyers, to the Government, to the Land Council, but no-one does anything.”
“…I will not leave the community. I will die here, and I will do this for the sake of this community.” 
“…what they should do is rebuild the community, build good quality houses and provide the services that we too have a right to. This is our land, our community,” said Elder Roy Hunter Wiggan 88-year-old, resting in his room in his family home in Kennedy Hill. Broome, Western Australia.
“We had Rebecca since day one and now she is already 2 years and 6 months, Rebecca is the daughter of Deana, (Patricia’s daughter). Deana’s drinking habit was bad and now she is in rehab, she is doing well.” Patricia and Rebecca (2 yr) having some lunch outside their house in Kennedy Hill while Creamy (L) and Bluey (R) patiently are waiting for their share. Broome, Western Australia.
Chrissy turned 21 and the Seaside Drifters Band from One Mile Community (Broome) came over to Kennedy Hill for a gig and played in the old office of Kennedy Hill which has now been demolished. Broome, Western Australia.
Kennedy Hill sits in one of the most pristine real estate in the town of Broome. The Community is slowly being dismantled. What the future holds for it’s future residents is unknown. Broome, Western Australia.
Sussanne Charmawina is homeless and leaving her bushcamp in the sand dunes in Kennedy Hill to go to Haynes Oval in Broome’s Chinatown district. Many homeless sit in the day time at Haynes Oval which is a large park in the center of Broome. People are drifting in from remote communities around the Kimberley as Broome is exempt from the tight liquor restrictions in place in the rest of the Kimberley. Sussanne is on the waiting list for a house. Broome, Western Australia.
Cedrick is from Looma Community and is partying during Chrissy’s 21st birthday in the old Office, which was a condemned building in Kennedy Hill. Cedrick lives in Looma, which is a dry community (no alcohol permitted). Kennedy Hill’s Office was demolished early morning on the 1st of October 2014. Broome, Western Australia.
Sussanne Charmawina preparing damper, a popular dish with Aboriginal people. The basic ingredients of damper is flour, water, and sometimes milk normally cooked in the ashes of the camp fire. Sometimes it is the only meal of the day that people can afford. Broome, Western Australia.
Marjorie was happily smiling while sitting on the doorstep of her family home in Kennedy Hill. “I am 5 now !” and gave me (Ingetje Tadros) the biggest smile when I came over to bring her a birthday present. Broome, Western Australia.
“No-one is listening and nobody is listening to what’s going to happen in the next future and this place can’t go as this is our home, my dad built this place without support from any department.” Eilane Wiggan said. Elaine takes a smoke break from the meeting at Kennedy Hill with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs about the excessive alcohol use and aggression and the demolition of four houses and one Office in the Community. This day was decided to ban alcohol from Kennedy Hill and turn it into a dry Community. Broome, Western Australia.
“This is what alcohol does,” her auntie Patricia said “…alcohol really destroys young people’s life and future and their children suffer.” Ilene recovering at the house of her family in Kennedy Hill. First Ilene got punched by her partner who gave her a badly bruised eye, the next day he broke her finger. Ilene’s family told her to lay charges but Ilene refused. Broome, Western Australia.
“My past was destroyed by alcohol and drugs, now I have a brighter future looking forward to set up an example for my future generation, my friends and family. Now I feel free as the alcohol and drugs are no longer in my system, I am hoping the people come together as one happy family then Kennedy Hill would be one of the best communities in Broome town.” Sandy Isaac standing in a condemned house in Kennedy Hill which has now been demolished. Broome, Western Australia.
Meah (5 yr) standing outside her family home, it’s 7.30 AM and watching the bulldozer demolishing Kennedy Hill’s Office. Now four houses and one Office have been demolished, seven houses remain. Recently the Premier of Western Australia, Colin Barnett, committed to closing down approximately 150 remote Aboriginal Communities in Western Australia. What will the future be for Kennedy Hill? Broome, Western Australia.
Alan Dededar leaving Kennedy Hill and mentioned to me he is on his way to Centacare. Centacare Kimberley in Broome provides a range of services to people who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or are experiencing financial hardship. Centacare have an outreach team that engages with people sleeping rough throughout the Broome area with a primary focus on supporting them to access social housing. Centacare runs a homeless breakfast. Alan is from Balgo a dry community (alcohol is not permitted) and is squatting in a condemned house in Kennedy Hill. (This house has now been demolished). Broome, Western Australia.
Elder Roy Hunter Wiggan (R) passing on his knowledge to his grandson Liam (M) and his son in law Kingsley (L) how to make Ilma’s (artefacts used when dancing) which represent the clouds, land, sea and other things. I’€™m now the last one left who knows these songs and dances now and I want to give them back to my sons’€. Despite the uncertain future of Kennedy Hill traditions are still being passed on. Broome, Western Australia.
Rhonda, Philippa, Erica and James (L to R) are one of the many people squatting in this abonded and condemned house in Kennedy Hill. After the house was demolished on 22nd September 2014 they moved camp. A lack of affordable short-term accommodation, combined with Aboriginal people moving in from remote communities, has led to people camping on bush blocks and parks in town. Broome, Western Australia.
“We need new houses!” Stuart Ah Choo commented while he was totally stressed out. The first phase of the demolition of Kennedy Hill began on 15 September 2014. It has the community divided and given a lot of stress to it’s residents. 7 houses out of the 12 remain. Broome, Western Australia.
Jenaerd, Sardie, Anna, Charlette, Quane and Chrissy watching TV in their brothers room, (L to R). Tourists fly in from all over the world to Broome to enjoy the Cable Beach resorts and the surrounding pristine environment but for the residents of Kennedy Hill this reality is totally removed from their world. Broome, Western Australia.
“Gambling is for us to socialise and help with needs in everyday life.” Sandy Isaac mentioned to me. Gambling is part of the daily contemporary culture of Kennedy Hill. For Aboriginal people gambling has been for the most part a recreational activity. Broome, Western Australia.
An aerial view of two condemned houses in Kennedy Hill. The left house was demolished on September 19th and the right house September 22nd. The area under the right tree and around the abounded car has now become a bush camp. A lack of affordable short-term accommodation, combined with Aboriginal people moving in from remote communities, has led to people camping on bush blocks, parks in town and abounded buildings. Some of these have become drinking hubs, fuelling violence and anti-social behaviour. Alcohol abuse is causing problems for the whole community. Broome, Western Australia.
Sussanne Charmawina slept in Esther’s house this night. Sussanne is from Balgo which is dry community, (alcohol is not permitted) and is related to Esther who has a house in Kennedy Hill. Sussanne wakes up very early in the morning and 4 am is no exception. The first thing Sussanne prepares is a billycan (old large Heinz Beanz tin) of black tea. Sussanna used at least four or five tea bags for this very large cup of tea which she cooked on an old portable gas burner. If there is no gas available then a fire will be lit outside the house. Broome, Western Australia.
Lynette and John where living temporally in Kennedy Hill. Recently they returned to their own community in Mudawaloop (outside of Halls Creek), now they are very concerned about the future of their community as the West Australian Government has the plan to close up to 150 Aboriginal communities in the state. Broome, Western Australia.
“I’m waiting for a house here”…”I don’t want to go back to Balgo.” Sussanne Charmawina is watching the demolition of one of the condemned houses in Kennedy Hill. Four houses and one Office had to be destroyed because of maintanance and health issues. Broome, Western Australia.
€œ”I want my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren to grow up here. We have been here 30 years, this is our home. Many of our people have nowhere else to go. If they demolish the community then we are homeless.” “…what they should do is rebuild the community, build good quality houses and provide the services that we too have a right to. This is our land, our community,” said Kennedy Hill’€™s 88-year-old Elder Roy Hunter Wiggan spending time with his grandchildren ( from L to R) Marjorie (4 yr), Quane (1 yr) , Meah (3 yr) and Kitana (3 yr) at his family home in Kennedy Hill. Broome, Western Australia.
Bruce Njamme has been coming and going to Kennedy Hill for a few months, living it rough and always has been very kind to me (Ingetje Tadros) and one morning he said to me, “Hey Ingi from now on we will call you ‘Nagala’ (sister) then Bruce said “I want to sing a song for you.” Then he walked over to an old and abounded car outside the fence in the sand dunes, sat on the bonnet and said, “I am from Balgo from the desert and I sing this song for my family who all passed away and for my father who is Sunfly. The song is called Worray Yagga Yagga.” It was a very emotional song and than he burst out in tears. Many of these people who live in and around Kennedy Hill are so far from their country. Broome, Western Australia.

Sardie (2 yr) is cooling off in an esky as temperatures can reach to the 40ºC. Sardie lives in Kennedy Hill and is one of the happiest and cutest babies I (Ingetje Tadros) have ever seen. Totally unaware of the problems in the Community, Sardie is happy as Larry. Broome, Western Australia.
“Danger, Demolition work in progress” This condemned house was for many homeless a home. After the house was demolished on September 22nd and a gate was placed, many of the homeless people made camp outside the gate and still remain there till this day. Broome, Western Australia.
“It’s safer to knock them down but they need to build new houses.” Stuart Ah Choo commented. Kennedy Hill is a shanty town, in the tourist mecca of Broome in the Kimberley. Its twelve buildings were home to more than 120 people.The first phase of the demolition of Kennedy Hill’€™s shanty town began on 15 September 2014. Four houses and the Office were demolished. Seven houses remain, home to about 100 people. Broome, Western Australia.
Since the day Rebecca (2 yr) was born, she has been in the care of her grandparents Sandy and Patricia. Her mother Deana’s drinking habit was bad and recently she went into rehab. Feed the Little Children delivers twice a week food for the children in Kennedy Hill and here she is enjoying it all by herself while Bluey is watching out for her. Broome, Western Australia.
Liam, Charlette, Quane, Marjorie and Megs relaxing while watching tv in Charlette’s room. Tourists fly in from all over the world to Broome to enjoy the Cable Beach resorts and the surrounding pristine environment but for the residents of Kennedy Hill this reality is totally removed from their world. Broome, Western Australia.
Megs (16 yr), and Sardie (2 yr) and Chrissy (21 yr) (L to R), posing in an abounded and condemned house in Kennedy Hill. Megs goes to school in Broome while Chrissy is looking after her two kids at home. Megs and Chrissy are cousins and both live in the house of their grandmother in Kennedy Hill. Broome, Western Australia.
Esther Yumbi having breakfast in her home in Kennedy Hill. Due to excessive alcohol consumption she has been diagnosed with dialysis and now is being treated in Perth Hospital 2300 km away. Broome, Western Australia.
“Now the community should get together as one, join hands and try seek to gain the loss by approaching various government departments in an appropriate manor for assistance.” Kennedy Hill resident Sandy Isaac mentioned. This demolition took place on September 19th 2014 in Kennedy Hill. Broome, Western Australia.
Kennedy Hill at night. The phone-boot and the old and condemned Office are lit, accompanied by a tall boab tree. The boab tree is the icon of the Kimberley and only found in the Western Australia Kimberley region and is used as food, medicine, shelter and for art work. The shanty towns are not limited to Broome, they are a pernicious theme right throughout the Kimberley. Broome, Western Australia.
Meah (5 yr) and Trevor (28 yr) relaxing in the lounge of their family home in Kennedy Hill, which is near the Chinatown district in Broome. Kennedy Hill is a dustbowl shanty but it is all the families who live there have. Broome, Western Australia.
Sussanne Charmawina and Jacquelin waking up in their new camp, at the other side of the fence, as the condemned house they used before in Kennedy Hill, has now been demolished. Till this day this camp is still being used by many homeless people. Broome, Western Australia.
Clare Golava, Amanda Lewis, Mary Njamme, Sussanne Charmawina (from L to R) posing after breakfast at Esther’€™s house in Kennedy Hill. They are living it rough and sleep at various places in and around the community of Kennedy Hill. They are from Balgo( Wirrimanu). Balgo is a dry community (alcohol is not permitted) Balgo is one of Australian’€™s most remote Aboriginal communities located in the south-east Kimberley region of Western Australia with a population of about 460 people. Broome, Western Australia.
Kids playing at their family home in Kennedy Hill, despite poverty children are being children. Quane (1 yr), Meah (3 yr), Kitana (3 yr) and Marjorie (4 yr) (from L to R), Broome, Western Australia.
Anne Olby preparing some instant noodles in a condemned house in Kennedy Hill. A lack of affordable short-term accommodation, combined with Aboriginal people moving in from remote communities, has led to people camping on bush blocks, parks in town and abounded buildings. This house was demolished on September 22th 2014. Now people are squatting outside the fence in the sand dunes of Kennedy Hill. Broome, Western Australia.
Stanley Thirkall from Fitzroy posing in the sand dunes at Kennedy Hill. Stanley came over for a visit and slept in one of the condemned houses in Kennedy Hill. Some are in Broome to visit family, while others come to receive medical attention or escape wet season flooding. Broome has a lack of affordable short-term accommodation. Broome Western Australia.
Meah (3 yr) and Marjorie (5 yr) playing on ‘the Hill’ which are the sand dunes behind their family home in Kennedy Hill. Free as little birds they run and play in the sand dunes, unaware of the problems their Community is dealing with. This is such a beautiful place, the sand is white, the water is turquoise, the sky is blue and the view is even more spectacular. This is a pristine location. Broome, Western Australia.
Anna, Stanley, Fiona and Daniel posing in the sand dunes in Kennedy Hill. (L to R). They slept in a condemned house which now has been demolished. (22 September 2014). Broome in the north-west of Western Australia is struggling with a wave of homelessness and drunken violence, with liquor restrictions in the central Kimberley adding to the problem. A lack of affordable short-term accommodation, combined with Aboriginal people moving in from remote communities, has led to people camping on bush blocks and parks in town. Some of these have become drinking hubs, fuelling violence and anti-social behaviour. Broome, Western Australia.
“Alcohol can bring you down and kill you, it will….to me I was happy to die, I lost my father he was my hero, I had a bad record , I know now my job is to save my people.” “€˜Billy”€™ Stuart Ah Choo sitting outside his home in Kennedy Hill with his beloved dog Dontee and her pup Little Blacky. Broome, Western Australia.
“I am always in charge of the cooking, I look after my family.” says Sussanne Charmawina (L). Together with her family and friends Mary Nyamme, Christina Wilson, and Clare Galova (L to R) form Balgo (dry community, no alcohol permitted). They are squatting in a condemned house in Kennedy Hill. Sussanne is preparing damper, a popular dish with Aboriginal people. The basic ingredients of damper is flour, water, and sometimes milk normally cooked in the ashes of the camp fire. Sometimes it is the only meal of the day that people can afford. Broome, Western Australia.
Amanda Lewis lays on the couch in Esther’s house in Kennedy Hill wondering what the day will bring. The word is that Kennedy Hill will slowly but surely be completely demolished. It is now seven dwellings left. When all the dwellings are gone, where will all the people moved on by the Mallingbar Aboriginal Corporation go? The land may either be sold or in some sort of joint venture developed. (Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer) Broome, Western Australia.
The painting (M) of Roy Wiggan’s mother, Katie Wiggan, stands proud on a wooden dressing table in Roy’s room. Mr. Wiggan is originally from One Arm Point, his patrilineal Country but Kennedy Hill has a connection through his Djugun wife, and therefore his daughter can claim a matrilineal connection. “€œI will not leave the community. I will die here, and I will do this for the sake of this community.”€ said 88-year-old Elder Roy Hunter Wiggan. Broome, Western Australia.
STOP Notice STOP. This building will be demolished on Monday 22nd September at 06.00 am. Please vacate your belongings. People who stayed in this building moved their belongings over to the other side of the fence and created a bush camp which is still in use till this day. Broome, Western Australia.

This article was originally sourced from here : https://www.smh.com.au/cqstatic/12y5cu/index.html

Write a comment