The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Jennifer Dikarr Malarra Roy is a Mäḻarra weaver who lives and works on Yurrwi/Milingimbi Island in Northeast Arnhem Land. World War II plane vividly recalls her families’ experiences and memories of World War II and the bombing of the island in 1943, which were passed down to her through stories during her childhood.
Specifically, she recalls the tale of her waku (great-grandfather) George Djilminy, a djambatj (warrior), who heroically threw spears at the Japanese planes, protecting community members who hid out of sight. The work highlights a chapter in history that looms large in the collective memory of the Yurrwi communities but is little known outside of the island. Reminders of the war are ever present, with aircraft wreckages scattered across the landscape. Many local children and adults fondly recall playing in the plane wreckages.
Located 440 km from Darwin, Yurrwi was bombed several times in 1943 by Japanese forces. During the bombings locals often hid in mangroves and underwater to evade the Japanese. The first raid killed a Yolgnu man and a European and injured 15 people. Communities were forced to relocate to Galiwin’ku and many local Yolngu warriors were recruited into the Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit (NTRSU). The group, which was essentially Australia’s first line of defence against enemy attack, relied on Yolngu knowledge, bush tactics and weapons to conduct reconnaissance missions. In 1943 the group was disbanded and received little recognition and no pay.
Weaving together gunga (pandanus), mewana (sedge-grass) and balgurr (kurrajong fibre), Dikarr draws on her expert knowledge to produce new forms that honour personal and community memory. The planes share these memories with communities outside of Yurrwi and keep the history alive.
Dikarr asserts; "That plane is Dhäwu-mirr [it has story]. I made that plane so it can go to the museum and tell that story. Or people at Bush Gallery will see it and ask questions, ‘why did you make this plane?’. So, the plane is like a way of telling that history story, to keep it alive. That was a real thing that happened to our Old People, those bombs dropping. Some of the old ladies here still know those stories well, but not many. I am happy I made this plane to keep that story strong for everyone."
Acquired via commission with the generous support of Boeing Australia in 2025
"That plane is Dhäwu-mirr [it has story]. I made that plane so it can go to the museum and tell that story. Or people at Bush Gallery will see it and ask questions, ‘why did you make this plane?’. So
"That plane is Dhäwu-mirr [it has story]. I made that plane so it can go to the museum and tell that story. Or people at Bush Gallery will see it and ask questions, ‘why did you make this plane?’. So
This painting by Yolngu artist Wally Wilfred (b.1958 Wagilak people) commemorates Dhakiyarr, a Yolngu man whose prosecution following the 1933 death of Northern Territory police officer Albert McColl
Please be aware that this material relates to Frontier Wars and may cause offence or distress in some circumstances. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples please be aware this description may
'When mother and my sister went hunting, they were carrying fire, bush fire. And they were looking round for game after a fire. Well, people used to go round, you know tracking for kangaroo or bandico
Kim Hak was born in 1981, two years after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime. He grew up listening to his parent's memories of that time. Now he uses his art practice to raise awareness of his country
Please be aware that this material relates to Frontier Wars and may cause distress in some circumstances. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples please be aware this description may include the
