Apparently the beaching of a whale was one of the things which kept the peace for aboriginal tribes, at least on the east coast.

Traditionally, tribes had certain boundaries and coastal tribes did not mix that much with inner tribes - certainly, hunting in another tribes area was outlawed.

However, whenever a whale beached itself, word soon got around and it was used a celebration for many tribes, who were invited to the coast to feast on the beast.

similar to the feasts on the bogong moths in the summer time at Mount Kosiouszko.

So keep your knives sharp boys (and girls) next time a whale beaches its blubber time.

t.u.s.

I think the last word on this issue of Blackfellas eating whales should go to the splendid documentary on ABC TV last night (9/10/05) on the interaction between Killer Whales, Blackfellas and the whalers of Eden, NSW. For this was no mere incidental relationship.

Blackfellas had long established the practise where the Orca's herded passing whales into the shallows where they could be killed. And they were instrumental in passing on this knowledge to the Davidsons as they formed the major part of the rowing crews and were by far the best harpooners. The custom of leaving the killed whale overnight so the Orca's could take the prized tongue as payment for their contribution lasted more than a century.

Indeed, it is worth noting that this three way co-operation between Orca's, Blackfellas and settlers that worked so well was only broken by ignorant outsiders who broke a sacred trust.

The story itself would make an Oscar winning screenplay of Gothic proportions. And Blackfellas can proudly proclaim that there would have been no Australian Whaling industry without their critical contribution. Dine well, fellas, it is your right.

Wish you had mentioned it before the doco was on, Perseus =)

Not to worry, i'm sure there will be a repeat.

Why not see if Imparja can get a copy? The betrayal and response of "Old Tom" the lead Orca, by the operator of the new steamboat, is an incredible story.

I think the so called kangaroo harvest is disgusting, the government isn't worried about controlling numbers, all they're interested in is exploiting them for profit.
Kangaroos don't need controlling their numbers are as they should be, even the first seetlers wrote in many of their diaries that they were plentiful. And in places where their numbers may be higher than shouid be, then they should use more effective humane ways, like fertility control.
Nationally counts in commercial zones of Queensland, NSW, SA and WA show recent declines of from 9% (western greys), 54% (wallaroos), 55% (red kangaroos) to 63% (eastern greys). The notion of ‘plague proportions’ is propaganda to support kangaroo killing on a massive scale.
It states on a website called kangaroo slaughter which is set up to exspose the truth behind the kill, that Kill permits were given out to kill around 1000 kangaroos at Googong Dam because the ACT was saying in the media that they were causing erosion so that was the reason to kill the kangaroos, then when they pointed out that domestic stock may also be causing the erosion, the reason was changed, and the kangaroos were declared to be starving, and it was kinder to kill them.
Protest were set up there and on the day of the protest they found no starving kangaroos and took pictures of the local kangaroos which show they were doing just fine.
This was the first time that NSW National Parks has ever issued kill permits in a Protected Area. It was also the first time they have used commercial kangaroo shooters in this manner. After some investigation they discovered that NSW National Parks were developing management Plans for new National Parks, which make provision for the shooting of kangaroos in those National Parks!

In other words, a strategy is being developed within the two government departments, without due consultation process, to provide commercial kangaroo shooters with access to Protected Areas, including National Parks. Nowhere in NSW or ACT will be safe for kangaroos, with no point of refuge provided for the protection of our national icons.

With out farmers (animal or vegetable) you wouldn't exist!

It doesn't matter what type of animal is in fashion, all humans rely on farming food resources of all kinds (in fences and in the wild) to prosper (for better or for worse).
The biggest problem of all is that there are large concentrations of humans living in intensive farming lots called cities and just like battery hens they have lost their connection with nature they live empty lives shuffling papers and punching key pads, following fashions and indulging in deluded self righteous crusades with no foundation in natural order of things. Wake up! Bust out of your cage go spend some time in nature!live off the land for a few years,go hungry, get your hands dirty, kill animals to eat, grow or collect vegetables with out relying on the plastic wrapped food warehouses,look ,listen and learn! Live a real life then make judgments based on reality.