Jinangga: On My Tracks

This is the remarkable life story of Monty Walgar, a Yamaji man from the Murchison River area of Western Australia. Taken from his mother at the age of 10, he was one of that first generation of Aboriginal people who had legal access to alcohol, and the results were devastating. From the age of 14 onwards he worked tirelessly on stations, the railways and the Canning Stock Route, but he also developed a serious drinking problem which took over his life. After narrowly escaping death in an accident in 1975 he went into rehab, but this was only the start of his battle, a pattern of drinking, rehab, release, drinking, rehab, release… until the mid-1980s he finally succeeded in staying sober for good.

Jinangga is a poignant example of the effects of alcohol abuse on the Indigenous people of this country, whose culture it had traditionally never been a part of. Monty tells his story with enormous courage, humility and a gentle humour. His victory over drinking is a source of inspiration to anyone who has struggled with an addiction.

“The life story of Monty Walgar, a Yamaji man from the Murchison River area of Western Australia. Taken from his mother at the age of 10, Monty was of that first generation of Aboriginal people to have access to alcohol. From the age of 14, he worked on stations, the railways and the Canning Stock route but he also developed a serious drinking problem. Walgar recounts his experiences of drinking, rehabilitation, and drinking again until he finally succeeds in staying sober for good. Jinangga is a poignant example of the effects of alcohol abuse on the Indigenous people of this country, whose culture it had traditionally never been a part of. Monty tells his story with enormous courage, humility and a gentle humour. His victory over drinking is a source of inspiration to anyone who has struggled with an addiction. “

132 p., [8] p. of plates : ports. ; 20 cm. #281021