Angus Wallam facts for kids

Angus Wallam (1926 – October 2014) was a respected Noongar Aboriginal elder from Wagin, Western Australia. He was known for his important work with young Indigenous people and his community. He even received the Wagin Australia Day Citizenship Award for his efforts.

Angus grew up at a place called Marribank Mission, also known as Carrolup. As he got older, he worked hard in many jobs. He worked for farmers, helped build roads, and spent 22 years working on the railway. Angus had a large family with nine children and about 40 grandchildren.

Sharing His Stories

Angus Wallam wanted to share his life experiences. He wrote a book called Corroboree in 2004. This book tells the story of his childhood. It was written with Suzanne Kelly and had pictures by Norma MacDonald.

About Corroboree

Corroboree is a special book. It describes springtime, which was Wirrin's favorite time of year. Wirrin is a character in the book. He enjoys hunting with his father and collecting ochre with his grandfather. He also digs for sweet potatoes with his mother. And he gathers wattle seeds with his grandmother.

The book shows how people travel from far away for a big corroboree. Wirrin gets to see all his cousins and dance all night long. This book won an important award in 1999 called the Marrwarning Award. It celebrates books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors.

Other Ways His Stories Live On

Angus Wallam's memories and stories can also be found in other books. One is called Sort of a Place Like Home. Another is The Wailing: A National Black Oral History. You can also find a video interview with him online.

Artwork from Carrolup Mission

Angus Wallam was also involved with special artworks. These were drawings and paintings made by children at the Carrolup Mission in the 1930s. Angus Wallam himself created some of these artworks.

Exhibition and Return of Art

In August 2013, an exhibition called Heart Coming Home was held at Curtin University. It showed these amazing artworks. The exhibition was also known by its Noongar name, Koolark Koort Koorliny.

In May 2013, something very important happened. Angus Wallam and another Indigenous leader, Ezzard Flowers, signed an agreement. This agreement was with Colgate University, which owned the artworks, and Curtin University. The agreement meant the artworks would stay permanently at Curtin University. This was on the condition that Noongar and other Indigenous students could easily see them. It was a way to bring the art home and share it with the community.