Michael GALLAGHER
18th March. AMAX arrives to begin their drilling program but are told by Ivan McPhee to get off Noonkanbah. AMAX refuse to leave, claiming the legal right to drill, and are escorted to the drill site by police
(1980)
from the Noonkanbah, Western Australia series (1980)

Medium
gelatin silver photograph

Measurements
15.2 × 22.9 cm (image)

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased from Admission Funds, 1986
© Michael Gallagher

Reproduction requests

Gallery location
Not on display

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Noonkanbah, Western Australia

Accession Number
PH55.2-1986

Department
Australian Photography

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Daryl and Anne Whinney

Related

Noonkanbah, Western Australia

A delegation tries unsuccessfully to deliver the proclamation to the senior police officer at the drill site

10th August. Noonkanbah is proclaimed Aboriginal land

12 August. About 5:30 pm. The convoy arrives. It is given a mock welcome after news of an ACTU black ban on working the rig

12th August. 8 am. Police break up a roadblock for the convoy at Mickey's Pool Creek. Twenty-two arrested

12th August. 8 am. Police break up a roadblock for the convoy at Mickey's Pool Creek. Twenty-two arrested

12th August. 8 am. Police break up a roadblock for the convoy at Mickey's Pool Creek. Twenty-two arrested

25th July 1980. AMAX arrives a fourth time, and stays several months. Aborigines blocking the road to the site are told that the road through Noonkanbah and the drill site have been resumed by the Government. AMAX makes their camp

25th July 1980. AMAX arrives a fourth time, and stays several months. Aborigines blocking the road to the site are told that the road through Noonkanbah and the drill site have been resumed by the Government. AMAX makes their camp

25th July 1980. AMAX arrives a fourth time, and stays several months. Aborigines blocking the road to the site are told that the road through Noonkanbah and the drill site have been resumed by the Government. AMAX makes their camp

18th April. Aboriginal people from all over the Kimberley gather at Noonkanbah for a meeting of the Kimberley Land Council

18th April. Aboriginal people from all over the Kimberley gather at Noonkanbah for a meeting of the Kimberley Land Council

18th April. Aboriginal people from all over the Kimberley gather at Noonkanbah for a meeting of the Kimberley Land Council

2nd April. 6am. Ivan McPhee tells the AMAX man to get off Noonkanbah. Five hours later, after much more talk, the drillers pack up and leave

2nd April. 6am. Ivan McPhee tells the AMAX man to get off Noonkanbah. Five hours later, after much more talk, the drillers pack up and leave

2nd April. 6am. Ivan McPhee tells the AMAX man to get off Noonkanbah. Five hours later, after much more talk, the drillers pack up and leave

1st April. Dusk. A large group from Noonkanbah visit the site for an hour with two politicians, John Dawkins and Stuart West. Later that night the Noonkanbah people returned with their swags

29th March. In the early hours of the morning AMAX return with a police escort. Later that morning, during a long meeting in 45°C heat, Dickie Skinner once more carefully stated the Noonkanbah position - and once more it was rejected

29th March. In the early hours of the morning AMAX return with a police escort. Later that morning, during a long meeting in 45°C heat, Dickie Skinner once more carefully stated the Noonkanbah position - and once more it was rejected

29th March. In the early hours of the morning AMAX return with a police escort. Later that morning, during a long meeting in 45°C heat, Dickie Skinner once more carefully stated the Noonkanbah position - and once more it was rejected

28th March. AMAX water drillers return after legal action causes a week's delay. Dickie Skinner (third from the left) asks them to leave Noonkanbah. They do so. One press report stated the Aborigines threatened the driller with spears and boomerangs

28th March. AMAX water drillers return after legal action causes a week’s delay. Dickie Skinner (third from the left) asks them to leave Noonkanbah. They do so. One press report stated the Aborigines threatened the driller with spears and boomerangs

29th March. In the early hours of the morning AMAX return with a police escort. Later that morning, during a long meeting in 45°C heat, Dickie Skinner once more carefully stated the Noonkanbah position - and once more it was rejected

The Noonkanbah people are given a 'choice' of two drill sites which to them are indistinguishable

18th March. AMAX arrives to begin their drilling program but are told by Ivan McPhee to get off Noonkanbah. AMAX refuse to leave, claiming the legal right to drill, and are escorted to the drill site by police