We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection

Your Cart

Your cart is empty right now...

Discover what's on
Your Stuff
Lists
No lists found
Create list
List name
0 Saved items
Updated: a few seconds ago
Getting Started
Get started with Your Stuff

A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, list and share your favourite collection items and articles. This account will give you access to Your Stuff, NFSA Player and Pro. You will need to create an additional account for Canberra event tickets.

Confirm
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

The Old Man and the Inland Sea: No trees

2006

The Old Man and the Inland Sea: No trees

2006

  • NFSA IDS0KK5MGR
  • TypeTelevision
  • MediumMoving Image
  • FormDocumentary
  • Duration20 mins
  • GenresIndigenous themes or stories, Indigenous as subject
  • Year2006
  • WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons

In a sweeping shot of the mining fields, hills of ore dot the landscape. Mr Norman Hayes Jagamarra, sitting in this landscape, speaks to camera about how he moved to Coober Pedy after first droving, and then brick making work dried up. He says on the first morning when he woke up in Coober Pedy he was struck by the fact that there were no trees. Summary by Romaine Moreton.

  • WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons

In a sweeping shot of the mining fields, hills of ore dot the landscape. Mr Norman Hayes Jagamarra, sitting in this landscape, speaks to camera about how he moved to Coober Pedy after first droving, and then brick making work dried up. He says on the first morning when he woke up in Coober Pedy he was struck by the fact that there were no trees. Summary by Romaine Moreton.

  • Production company
    CAAMA Productions
    Executive Producer
    Jacqui North
    Series producer
    Rachel Clements
    Director
    Warwick Thornton
    Writer
    Warwick Thornton
  • A simple yarn around the campfire introduces the experience of Mr Norman Hayes Jagamarra in the Coober Pedy opal fields.

    The Old Man and The Inland Sea synopsis

    A documentary about Mr Norman Hayes Jagamarra who was a 'noodler’ on the mining fields of Coober Pedy.

    The Old Man and The Inland Sea curator's notes

    Norman Hayes Jagamarra takes us back to the mining fields of Coober Pedy where he was a noodler after droving and brick making work dried up in his young years. An interesting tale of one man’s experience of noodling, and the sense of community he shared with other Indigenous people whilst doing this work. Most importantly, he refers to the old people who were already there, and gives recognition to the Indigenous people of the area. It allows us to ponder the effects of the dispossession that opal mining caused for the peoples who were the original custodians of the Coober Pedy area.

    This program has also screened on NITV, National Indigenous Television.

    Notes by Romaine Moreton

Industry professional? Go Pro

Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.

Get started with PRO

Collections to explore

More in Stories+

Personalized your experience

Save, create and share

With NFSA Your Stuff