Daisy Bates And A Corroboree In Subiaco.
A copy of the article about the event is copied here and available from the National Library of Australia database Trove.
'An Aboriginal Corroboree', 8 January, 1910 Western Mail.
"In connection with the carnival consisting of a show of animated pictures, a band concert and a corroboree was given in the Subiaco Municipal Gardens on Wednesday. Under electric lights the gardens, with their well-kept lawns and many flower beds, looked particularly inviting, and at the time appointed for the commencement of the entertainment it was estimated that 4000 to 5000 people were present. In all 30 natives took part in the corroboree, one from the vicinity of Roebourne and the other from the south-west being represented. They were escorted to the gardens by Mrs Daisy Bates, and on their arrival took possession of the band-stand, where some of their number amused the spectators by performing various dances. All of them were naked to the waist, those from the north-west having their chests ornamented with a series of white lines, while the chests of the representatives were liberally decorated with white and blue colouring. The painting which was done by natives themselves, was in some cases decidedly of an artistic nature.
The corroboree took place from behind the bowling green parvilion on the western side of the gardens but owing to some of the 'ertancity of some of the spectators, and in some degree to the inadequacy of the arrangements only a comparative few had the privilege of obtaining a fair view of the proceedings. No sooner did the aborigines make a move to appointed spot than it was surrounded by a dense spot. The result was that the aborigines became separated from each other, and it took considerable time before they could be collected together again. Eventually this was accomplished, and by dint of hard work on the part of Mrs Bates, and other members of the committee and several constables a fair sized circle was formed around the fire which had been lit on a sheet of iron for the purpose.
The Roebourne natives then went through what is termed the meedar dance. While two of their number beat time with their kailees and chanted a song, the others sometimes in pairs and sometimes one behind the others danced to and fro with their movements with the flickering fire-light playing on their naked bodies appearing both novel and grotesque. The southwest natives then performed their "turn". This consisted of the mamma dance, which was largely composed of shaking and quivering of muscles of the upper parts of the body to the accompaniment of "music" from the kailees, and a confined whooping on the part of the performers. Both tribes entered heartily into their respective dances and were loudly applauded.
The pictures, were shown on a screen affixed to the bowling club's parvillion, were of a high order of merit and were exhibited to advantage. The crowding in upon the screen on the part of a number of those present, however again prevented them clearly from being seen except by a limited number. Prior to the correboree and at intervals during the evening the Subiaco Fire Brigade Band played a number of select tunes and these were greatly appreciated.
Credit is due to Mrs Daisy Bates, to who influence the presence of aborigines was due, to the Mayor of Subiaco (Mr Shirley White) and to the secretary (Mr Barrett) and other members of the committee, who worked hard to make the entertainment a success..."
References
Jebb, M. A. & Stella, L. 2008. Aboriginal Histories in the City of Subiaco. City of Subiaco : Subiaco W.A.
A photograph of the Subiaco Municipal Council Gardens taken around 1910. The photograph is from the collection of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society. No copyright infringement intended.
