By Michael Edols

Throughout history, when the social fabric and consciousness of a culture is invaded by forceful means and in turn the expression of that culture is repressed, it is those individuals and those artists who hold integrity, wisdom and grace, who come forth to speak of the truth. One such unique individual was my friend, mentor and older 'skin' brother by the tradition of his aboriginal culture, which made me younger 'skin' brother. Sam Woolagoodjha and I had a working friendship, which spanned sixteen years.

I would like to recount the dinner with Sam when he sang to the rhythm of his fork and plate. It was the first big night of the Sydney screening of our film Lalai -Dreamtime.

There was a sea of people who came and shook Sam's hand and thanked him for his journey into his spirit country.

Being the man he was, he obliged each person with that unmistakable smile and frequently chuckled. Especially with those people who came to him with nervous statements: "Lovely film", "were you not afraid to step on the sting rays", "you speak English so well" and one person insisted that the film was not a re-enactment but recorded "where the tribe was found". So rather than explain everything again it was best to simply oblige our audience and agree that they were right. >>>>