Billy (Mr P.) Patch
Born about 1948, died 2009
Manyjilyjarra language group, Milangka skin group
Wiluna
Tjukurba Gallery
I’m just a stock route baby.
Mr P was born at Kunawarritji (Well 33). As a boy he was picked up by drovers on the stock route and taken south to Wiluna where he later raised a family. Mr P was highly respected across the desert and maintained extensive family and ceremonial ties throughout the region and successfully fought for the land rights of his people. He passed away in 2009.
True Map of Canning Stock Route Country
2008 by Billy Patch (Mr P)
photograph by John Carty
Courtesy ARC
Canning Stock Route Project
Mr P drew this sand drawing to show how, in the eyes of Aboriginal people, the Canning Stock Route cut through a pre-existing network of cultural and ceremonial boundaries, songlines and laws. Each intersecting point on this grid represents a different water source. The lines connecting them symbolise the songs that are sung for these sites.
