Project team

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The project team Kathleen Denigan (author, graphic design and photographer), Susan Medway (researcher and project management) and Caden Pearson (narrator). The research for Norman Baird – a spark within was an adventure in itself. When George Kulka, told Kathleen that Norman had an ‘old brown port’ which contained his precious belongings, she was optimistic that such a find would provide valuable information to help tell Norman’s story. It was anticipated the port would contain his medals, newspaper clippings and the replies he received for the many letters he wrote. To date the port has not been found and may have been lost in a fire that destroyed Norman’s home.

Despite this, a significant find was located in the Queensland State Archives: a 100 page file on Norman. This file was kept by the Department of Native Affairs and is one of thousands of files kept on Aboriginal people. It is unusual for such an extensive file to be kept on an Aboriginal person who was not under The Act, but Norman was not the department’s average ‘client’ and his file was a goldmine of historical information. His beautiful old fashioned writing provided an insight into his character and determination and it was as though he had a second chance to make his voice heard.

The mystery of what happened to Charles Baird, Norman’s brother, was revealed by a single letter. At first the team, familiar with errors in the various historical documents, thought ‘William Roberts’ was a mistake. When no death records were found for Norman’s brother Charles, the idea that he had changed his name was explored. Fortunately his new identity was recorded in his military file and the team found the grave of William Roberts thousands of miles west from his homeland.

It is understandable that the background of Norman’s mother Dinah remains a mystery. It is surprising that the background of Robert Baird, Mayor of Cooktown and father to Norman and Charles, remains unknown. Robert’s death certificate contained neither of his parent’s names and as Norman was the informant we presume Norman did not know his paternal grandparents’ names.

Bama, living in poverty and ‘on the run’ from authorities keen to remove them or their children, owned few possessions and the luxury of family photographs was unknown.

To date only one good quality original photograph of Norman has surfaced. George Kulka provided the team with a photocopy of a portrait of a young man in an army uniform that someone had given him saying it was Norman, his grandfather. The project team needed the original so it could be reproduced and its authenticity confirmed. After many months and all leads exhausted, it was Cyclone Larry that uncovered the original photo in a box at Mena Creek. On the back of the photograph in Norman’s stylish handwriting was a message sent in 1917 to his mate. Many gestures of appreciation were expressed both for Norman sending the photo and for the Olufson family keeping it safe for 89 years.

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