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In Loving Memory of Phyllis Batumbil Burarrwaŋa

Dhukarr [path], Yäkthun [sweep]

[Description by the Maṯamaṯa Family, Brigitte Ross, and Peter Botsman - As Seen in the Film]

In 1964, as young girls, Batumbil and her sisters, walked with their father Gatirri Burarrwaŋa from their homeland Maṯamaṯa to Elizabeth Bay / Cape Wilberforce. Following the tracks of the ancestral dogs, celebrated in manikay [ceremonial song], they were on a journey of learning and knowledge. At the end of the walk, the girls' father and two uncles died inexplicably of unknown causes. The walking party were rescued by relatives and the girls were sent to school at Galiwin'ku [Elcho Island].

Batumbil later moved back to Maṯamaṯa's neighouring Dhuwa estate, the Galpu Homeland of Gi'kal, with her late husband, the renowned painter and sculptor, John Mandjuwi Gurruwiwi. There they brought up their children Joyce Bunparrwuy, Terence Gaypalani, Tony Wedu, and David Balawarr. In 2000 Mandjuwi and Bunparrwuy passed away.

Batumbil returned to her childhood Homeland Maṯamaṯa. It was there with her brothers that she began to develop her father Gatirri's Yirritja legacy.

50 years after the fateful walk with their father, Batumbil and her sisters Daisy and Doris retraced the walk they had made as young girls. Many of the visual sequences in this film come from the joyful and emotional retracing of that sacred pathway. 

Batumbil and her brothers and sisters see themselves as ancestral dog custodians of the land and sea.

The dogs still walk the earth.

[Making the Film]

During this journey, I made audio and visual recordings of stories as they were called forth from the land and sea. As they are listened and spoken to they, in return, listen and speak. The assemblage of recordings that constitute the final cut was guided by a Yolŋu sense of narratology in its importance for the correct dissemination of knowledge. 

The monumental walk and the making of a film was made possible by Brigitte Ross. Her immeasurable generosity and care persisted for many years to ensure that all processes unfolded via undisputed Yolŋu law and agency. I thank Brigitte for her integrity and abundant support that is embedded in every element of this experience.

Batumbil expressed her dreams of retracing this walk many times, and was responded to by Peter Botsman. It was through Peter's long-time connection and commitment to Batumbil and the Maṯamaṯa family that brought it into being. Peter was central in the complex arrangement of the walk and film. I specifically thank him for his translation work, communication, and expert 4WDriving as we travelled to and from Maṯamaṯa for many years. 

Due to the passing of Batumbil and in keeping with Yolŋu law, the films release was postponed until the bäpurru [funeral] process reached completion, and the family was ready to disclose the film. With the family's permission, it was signed into a two year exclusive release with SBS NITV where it premiered as part of their 2020 Always Was Always Will Be programme, and continued to be broadcasted and streamed on SBS On Demand.

Shortly after its release, I received a message from Howard and Frances Morphy, who have worked significantly with Yolŋu since the mid-70s and - with their permission to share - wrote, "Just seen Remaking the Pathway. What a beautiful evocative film. So much integrity as well as visually superb."

The film, and multiple hard drives with the original rushes, remain in the custodianship of the Maṯamaṯa family. 

Phyllis Batumbil Burarrwaŋa, Doris Yelthun Dhambiŋ Burarrwaŋa, Daisy Gunygulu Burarrwaŋa, Terence Gaypalani Gurruwiwi, Peter Illiya Gurruwiwi, Marcus Uloma Gurruwiwi, Mitchell Rang Garawirrtja, Yulala Shakiera Mununggurr [Maṯamaṯa family present during the walk and making of the film], Charlie Matjuwi Burarrwaŋa ["Gumatj Manikay"]

Brigitte Ross [Executive Producer], Peter Botsman [Producer], Emma Hudson [Director], Marieka Walsh, Jake Duczynski [Animation Director], Jonathan Delbridge [Additional Animation / Compositor], Aaron Kenny [Composer], Sammy Hawker [Additional Camera Operator], Music and Effects [Post-Production Sound Facility]