Shadow Lines Part II
Shadow Lines review.
I wrote to Steve Kinnane about our shared if distant family connection, and he replied the next morning. This exchange feels very important to me and I would like to preserve it.
MY MESSAGE
==========
Hello Steve
I am your third cousin once removed through your grandfather Edward Smith, and his mother Kate Graham. My middle name is Kate but that appears to be a coincidence. My mother Pat Graham of Wembley Downs in Perth is the family historian and recently contacted yourself and your mother about the family connections.
I have just finished reading Shadow Lines, prompted in part by your appearance on and the contents of the SBS series The First Australians. I found both book and program moving and educational, particularly as a multi-generational Perth resident. I had no idea how restricted my local knowledge was. I now have some inkling why.
You may not know that my elder brother David Graham worked tirelessly in the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) for many years as a Lands Officer on behalf of the Kimberley peoples, and was well regarded up there (they called him "a good 'un"). He regarded Broome as a second home.
Sadly Dave passed away from cancer on October 14 this year. He would have been 50 on Boxing Day. We are scattering his ashes on his birthday this Friday, along with a jar of sand from Cable Beach, and a pinch of red earth.
The land calls, even to this most Anglo Saxon branch of the tree.
Although our family lives have been very different I simply wanted to reach out and say hello, and to thank you for your work. Good luck with that cyclone, and Merry Christmas.
Warm regards
HIS REPLY
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Dear Stephanie,
Thank you for your kind words and for making contact. Firstly, I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. There is something intrinsically deep about the loss of our sibling. I can only imagine how it has affected you and your family and I hope that the respect and love with which you held your brother is a constancy. Belonging and connection to place is universal. How we celebrate and respect it may differ, but I believe the feeling and value to be intrinsic. Your brother's time here was clearly respected and valued by many.
We lost our sister, Jess in 1999. Shadow Lines is dedicated to her.
Cyclone Billy has become 'welcome rain storm, Billy' and Broome is awash with new growth, lime green sprigs of life set against rust red earth and a calming aqua sea; something I am sure your brother would have experienced
many times.
Please give my best to your mother and father, and have a thoughtful and reflective Christmas.
Warm regards
I wrote to Steve Kinnane about our shared if distant family connection, and he replied the next morning. This exchange feels very important to me and I would like to preserve it.
MY MESSAGE
==========
Hello Steve
I am your third cousin once removed through your grandfather Edward Smith, and his mother Kate Graham. My middle name is Kate but that appears to be a coincidence. My mother Pat Graham of Wembley Downs in Perth is the family historian and recently contacted yourself and your mother about the family connections.
I have just finished reading Shadow Lines, prompted in part by your appearance on and the contents of the SBS series The First Australians. I found both book and program moving and educational, particularly as a multi-generational Perth resident. I had no idea how restricted my local knowledge was. I now have some inkling why.
You may not know that my elder brother David Graham worked tirelessly in the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) for many years as a Lands Officer on behalf of the Kimberley peoples, and was well regarded up there (they called him "a good 'un"). He regarded Broome as a second home.
Sadly Dave passed away from cancer on October 14 this year. He would have been 50 on Boxing Day. We are scattering his ashes on his birthday this Friday, along with a jar of sand from Cable Beach, and a pinch of red earth.
The land calls, even to this most Anglo Saxon branch of the tree.
Although our family lives have been very different I simply wanted to reach out and say hello, and to thank you for your work. Good luck with that cyclone, and Merry Christmas.
Warm regards
HIS REPLY
=========
Dear Stephanie,
Thank you for your kind words and for making contact. Firstly, I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. There is something intrinsically deep about the loss of our sibling. I can only imagine how it has affected you and your family and I hope that the respect and love with which you held your brother is a constancy. Belonging and connection to place is universal. How we celebrate and respect it may differ, but I believe the feeling and value to be intrinsic. Your brother's time here was clearly respected and valued by many.
We lost our sister, Jess in 1999. Shadow Lines is dedicated to her.
Cyclone Billy has become 'welcome rain storm, Billy' and Broome is awash with new growth, lime green sprigs of life set against rust red earth and a calming aqua sea; something I am sure your brother would have experienced
many times.
Please give my best to your mother and father, and have a thoughtful and reflective Christmas.
Warm regards