Laura Rademaker Knihy

In 1925, Alf and Mary Dyer arrived in the Arnhem Land Aboriginal settlement of Oenpelli (Gunbalanya) with the aim of introducing Christianity to a region previously known for buffalo shooting and viewed by many whites as difficult to manage. This work captures the challenging first six years of the Church Missionary Society's mission under Alfred Dyer's leadership from 1925 to 1931. By combining documentary evidence, photographs, and local community memories, the narrative reveals miscommunication, illness, and ongoing logistical challenges, while highlighting the Aboriginal community's agency in deciding how to interact with the newcomers. The book offers a detailed record of primary mission sources, enriched by insights from local Traditional Owners. It includes historical and archaeological context, vivid mission reports, correspondence, stunning photographs, relevant maps, and oral history from Esther Manakgu, which reflects Aboriginal perspectives on this complex period. Emerging from a community desire to access their historical documents, this work aims to share their story with the broader Australian public. It serves as a valuable resource for communities in western Arnhem Land and historians of Aboriginal history, as well as scholars in related fields.