Review: Where the Trees Were
Gaby Meares
In Inga Simpson’s Author Note she admits to feeling ashamed by her lack of knowledge regarding Wiradjuri burial trees, or arborglyphs. Like Simpson, my heritage is British, and I too am uncomfortable with my lack of knowledge regarding the traditions of the original people of this country I call home.
In 1987 Jay and her four childhood friends discover a grove of carved trees on her family property, and make an oath to always be friends, protect each other and the trees.
Fast forward to 2004 and Jayne now works as a conservationist in Canberra, in a relationship with Sarah that is loving and dreams of racing in the Tour de France.
In alternating chapters Simpson reveals what happened in that last summer holiday before Jay and her friends started high-school, and how those events impacted on all their lives.
Without judgement, Simpson explores the tensions created by the burgeoning land-rights claims; tensions not only between white farmers and the local indigenous population, but between family members and friends. Museum and gallery collection policies came under scrutiny in the early 2000s, revealing practices that showed no respect for indigenous artefacts.
‘A Wiradjuri spokeswoman had compared the theft, destruction and incarceration of their arborgylphs to Hitler’s theft of Jewish artworks during World War II. It was an old story: destroy a people’s culture, destroy the people.’
Simpson seamlessly interweaves these political issues through Jay’s life journey as she struggles to find her way towards redemption and peace. Her love for the Australian bush shines throughout and transforms Where the Trees Were from a mere polemic to something much more nuanced and memorable.