Paruku George Wallaby
Born about 1930, died 2001
Walmajarri language group, Jangala skin group
Kununurra
Red Rock Artists
George Wallaby was born with floodwater dreaming near Paruku, the site after which he was named. As a young man he worked on the Canning Stock Route droving cattle. When stock work ceased after the introduction of equal wages in the 1960’s, he moved to Kununurra, where he later began painting. A respected law man in Kununurra, Paruku was known as the ‘rainmaker’.
Majakarr
2001, by George Wallaby
ochre on wood, 120×95 cm
Red Rock Gallery
Euan Hills Collection
In the Dreamtime there was a really dry time. The boss man, Majakarr, was living near Sturt Creek where it flows into Paruku, and his many sons and daughters were thirsty. Majakarr said, ‘Follow me, plenty water this way’. But they couldn’t listen and went their own way. They all died. That’s why there’s always only one boss man.
