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Clip description
This clip is from the first episode of Wambidgee, 'The Boomerang Maker’. Wambidgee the boomerang maker decides to take his latest boomerang to the chief of his clan. En route, he is stopped by a crocodile and then Gerribung, the mischievous 'witch doctor’, both of whom want to steal whatever reward the chief gives Wambidgee for the boomerang.
Curator’s notes
This clip is somewhat charming in its simplicity, and Wambidgee was certainly commendable for trying to bring Indigenous representation to Australian children’s television in the 1960s. But viewed now, when Indigenous stories are increasingly being told by Indigenous filmmakers, this clip makes for uncomfortable viewing. References to Aboriginal 'chiefs’ and 'witch doctors’ show little understanding of the culture that is being appropriated to tell the story. The sprightly orchestral score also seems at odds with the Indigenous characters and Australian outback being represented on screen.
This clip does retain interest for being the first example of stop-motion puppet animation to screen on ABC television. The Wambidgee puppet is multi-jointed and able to wiggle its toes, raise its eyebrows and move its mouth effectively. Wambidgee’s altruism in giving away his boomerang and the straightforward way he stands up to the crocodile makes him an appealing hero for children, and this clip leaves us wanting to see how he will handle Gerribung’s attempts to dissuade him from his quest.
