How the Animals came to Australia
   

 
In the painting can be seen:

Bottom Left: The Kangaroo and Emu steeling the boat from the Whale while the Starfish takes the lice from the Whale.
Bottom Right: The men who eventually turned into the animals that travelled on the Whales' boat.
Bottom Middle: The various salt-water seas the animals travelled on and where the Whale travelled up and down the coastline.
Top Right: Where the animals travelled at night as well as the Sun that shone during their daytime travels.
Middle Top: The Whale spurting out water as he became furious whilst trying to catch the animals fleeing in his boat.
Top Left: The moon designating the travelling at night by the animals.

 
The Story

Long before there were humans or animals in Australia, the only living things that had eyes to see the vast continent were flocks of migratory birds. When these birds returned to their homeland they told the animals (who, at that time had the form of men and women) about the wonderful country of tree-covered mountains, wide and long rivers and abundant vegetation that was far away.

The reports from the birds created so much excitement from the animals, they assembled in the form of a corroboree (a celebratory singing and dancing meeting) and decided they would all go to this beautiful place called Australia. However the problem was how to get there!

The only animal that had a big enough vessel to carry them all was that owned by the Whale, but he was not at all happy for them to use his boat and blatantly said "No!"

The animals then decided the only way to get the Whale's boat was to steal it. But it was hard to distract the Whale long enough so they could take it. One of the animals came up with a great idea for the Whale's favourite friend, the Starfish, to offer to distract the Whale by offering to take all the lice off his huge coat. The Starfish was happy with this suggestion and the Whale agreed. Whilst starfish was conducting this feat, all the other animals gathered their possessions and climbed into the Whale's boat and started paddling.

When the Whale realised what had happened, he started to beat the Starfish repeatedly (this is why all the starfish these days have notches on their limbs). In his fury the Whale spurted water high into the air. The Whale then immediately swam towards his boat that he could see in the distance. He swam and swam, whilst the other animals paddled harder and harder for days and nights. Eventually the animals made the promised land of Australia and quickly left the boat.

However, the Brolga realised if they left the boat for the Whale he would return with vengeance on all the animals. He therefore jumped and stamped repeatedly on the boat until it sank, making it into a huge Island that now can be seen off the coast of Australia called Ganman-Gang.

The whale turned aside in disgust and swam up and down the coast as his descendants have done ever since. As tor the animals, they explored the land and found it to be as good as the birds had said. They settled there, making their homes in trees, in caves, by rivers and lakes, in the bush, and in the wide desserts of the interior where they all still live today.

Price: $3,900.00 AUD