Ayaiga
In the remote Roper River region of the Northern Territory more than 120 years ago, an Alawa man committed an act of such exceptional bravery that a King took notice.
Ayaiga had been arrested for stealing from one of the vast cattle stations established on traditional Alawa Country. The heavyweight boxing champion of the Australian Police, Constable William Francis Johns, was bringing him in to Leichhardt’s Bar Police Station – the constable on horseback, with Ayaiga, manacled by the neck, attempting to keep up on foot. Johns foolishly attempted to cross a flooded creek and was knocked unconscious when his panicked horse kicked him in the head. Ayaiga, burdened by his heavy chain, heroically saved Johns from drowning and remained by the constable’s side as he recovered.
Ayaiga became one of only 8 Australian recipients – and the only Indigenous recipient – of the Albert Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life.
Thomas Higgs is a teacher living in Darwin. His undergraduate degree in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies gave him a foundation for building deep and meaningful connections with Aboriginal Australians. He believes all young people should learn about the history and culture of First Nations people and that collaborative storytelling such as this is integral to reconciliation.
Colin Hall is an Alawa man from the Roper River region. He works at the Ngukurr Language Centre supporting the delivery of Kriol language courses and is also working to revive the endangered Alawa language of his ancestors. He assisted Higgs in the writing of Ayaiga’s story through the inclusion of many Alawa and Kriol words.
Wally Wilfred is a Wägilak man and artist living and working in the Roper River region, who works with the Ngukurr Art Centre. Wally brings together traditional techniques with bold and contemporary use of colour. Wally’s work explores traditional and present-day culture with history and storytelling.
