5 Hands of Goanka
Record of Visit to Mission Stations, 1936 – Part 1 and 2
Arielle Henaway
The Records of Visits to Mission Stations 1936 show images of ‘Goanka’ and ‘Hands of Goanka’. This collection contained 1029 black and white photos from the Presbyterian Church of Queensland’s visits to Aboriginal mission stations in North Queensland, Mornington Island, Aurukun, Weipa and Mapoon.
When moving through the pages, the first series that stood out to me was a set of three photos taken from the shoulders down. They showed a dark-skinned woman, dressed in white, using a white yarn to crochet some patterned patchwork. The second series showed her face. I see strength in the face of Goanka. There was a great contrast between her dark skin and white clothing that made her hands stand out to me; they are the ‘Hands of Goanka’.
These hands of Goanka. They remind me of my great grandmother and my grandmother.
These large, strong black hands perform such a gentle art of crochet; they move with intention. They hold such determined delicacy of gentle force.
Growing up, I can remember my mother telling my brothers: ‘You have your fathers build’, ‘You have my eyes’ and ‘You have your grandfather’s face’.
To my sister, she would say, ‘You have your grandmothers’ hands’.
Because of this, I was jealous. My sister would come to me and complain that her hands were manly looking, to which I replied: ‘Those are the hands of generational hard work’.
They are not confined to a distinct era, duty, or person.
They are limitless in potential.
They are hands that would discipline but also encourage.
Hands of safety and comfort.
These wide-palmed, long fingered, veiny hands are a matriarchal inheritance.
Think of all the things these hands of yours have done.
They have raised families, built homes, cared for the land, mended wounds, and yes, crocheted.
They are the hands of legacy.
I see generations of kin in her hands.
These are the hands of my sister. The hands of my grandmother.
The hands of Goanka.
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Links to the Fryer Library Collection
Norman Francis Nelson, ‘Goanka’, 1936, Record of visit to mission stations, UQFL57, Series A, Items 398, 399 and 400, Fryer Library, The University of Queensland.
Norman Francis Nelson, ‘Hands of Goanka’, 1936, Record of visit to mission stations, UQFL57, Series A, Items 572, 573 and 574, Fryer Library, The University of Queensland.
Biography
Arielle Hennaway is a proud Birri Gubba Juru woman with ties to Ayr in North Queensland. She was born and raised on Yidinji land. Arielle holds a Bachelor of Business and has worked in the Sustainable Engineering, Education and Community sectors in administrative and operational roles.
With this writing, I choose to honour my Elders, past and present, and recognise the sacrifices made for the future generations. I choose to specifically honour the yungarah (women).
