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Yumogara (active 1954)

Boomerang 1950-54

Wood | 1.5 x 71.0 x 16.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 74011

Grand Vestibule, Windsor Castle

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  • A dark wood boomerang with decoration of six faded blackened bands across the width, presented to The Queen by Larry Kunamarra, an indigenous Australian, in 1954.

    As a young man, Niyikina Elder Larry Kunamarra had formerly worked alongside Jandamarra, a Bunuba resistance fighter who opposed European colonisation of Australia. After being shot in the leg, he served as a tracker for the Western Australian police force for over twenty years. In 1954, in recognition of his long service, Kunamarra received the Coronation Medal from Queen Elizabeth II, who was conducting an extensive tour of Australia. The Derby community raised funds to send 'Tracker Larry' to Perth for the occasion. After the event, Kunamarra presented The Queen with this boomerang made by fellow Kimberley man Yumogara.

    The Queen accepted the gift 'as a token of the loyalty and affection of the tribe'. Kunamarra's granddaughter, Glenys Benning, also a Niyikina Elder, later recalled, 'I remember – when he came back he never stopped talking about The Queen… "A very nice woman." He was very proud to go down there'.
    Provenance

    Made by Yumagora, a stockman on Upper Liveringa station, Kimberley, Western Australia (probably Bunuba people), and presented to Queen Elizabeth II by Larry Kunamarra in Perth, 1954

  • Medium and techniques

    Wood

    Measurements

    1.5 x 71.0 x 16.0 cm (whole object)


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