indigenous

Lutheran involvement in the Cooktown area began in 1885 when missionary Johann Flierl stopped off at Cooktown on his way to New Guinea. He later received government permission to start a mission station. The original mission sites were at Elim and Cape Bedford. Elim became known as Hope Valley, and later Hope Vale. The Immanuel Lutheran Synod in South Australia supported work amongst the Gungu Yimidhirr people by sending missionaries C.A. Meyer, George Schwarz and Wilhelm Poland. At the outbreak of the Second World War the people, along with missionary Schwartz, were interned at Woorabinda, near Rockhampton, in Queensland. In just one month twenty eight people lost their lives with nearly a quarter of the people dying over the next eight years. In 1986 the community became the first to receive a Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) and formed the Hope Vale Aboriginal Council. In 1997 a Native Title determination was made concerning the lands of the Hope Vale. Source: aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/catalogue_resources/MS...

The Guugu Yimithirr people like all Aborigines in Australia have been here for approximately 100,000 years. The Guugu Yimithirr first came to prominence in 1770 when they engaged with Captain James Cook and his crew on the good ship Endeavour. As is well known in history the Guugu Yimithirr hosted Captain Cook at present day Cooktown (Gungarr) for 7 weeks. During this time he not only had to repair the Endeavour he also met the Guugu Yimithirr people and engaged in dialogue along with Joseph Banks and Sydney Parkinson. They gathered a word list of the Guugu Yimithirr language and from this encounter the Guugu Yimithirr have been immortalised in the English language by giving the name to that giant hopping marsupial-Gangurru-Kangaroo. Hope Valley Mission was founded in January of 1886 by the Lutheran Missionary John Flierl. He was on his way to establish a mission in New Guinea but was held up in Cooktown and during the idle time he began work amongst the Guugu Yimithirr clans in Cooktown. He established himself as missionary on the Cape Bedford Aboriginal Reserve, choosing a spot on the bay north of Cape Bedford which he called Elim. Source: www.hopevale.qld.gov.au/history

I believe that is a tin of IXL jam on the table, made by Henry Jones & Co., established Hobart 1898. Perhaps the piece of bread that Albert is slicing will soon be spread with a dollop of that tasty jam.

In 1895 the Henry Jones company purchased a building in Melbourne and commenced manufacture of jams and spreads. The building became known as The Jam Factory. IXL formed as a limited liability company in 1903. The IXL brand – 'I excel in everything I do' was Henry Jones's personal motto.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jam_Factory
www.henryjonesfoods.com.au/about-us/

The manual meat mincer on the left behind the enamel mug, would be for making rissoles from tough meat.
www.bunnings.com.au/victoria-cast-iron-manual-meat-mincer...

Behind that appears to be a packet of porridge oats, next to an old and battered Arnotts biscuit tin.

This is such a terrific image of a man living alone, quietly preparing a meal at his plane table.
The jam tin lid needs to be pushed down to keep the flies out, or put in the meat safe. On top of the biscuit tin is the tea caddy. I'm also thinking the kerosene lamp may have a reflector plate or wall hanger at the back, similar lamps do show up online. www.ebay.com.au/itm/385980994205?chn=ps&_ul=AU&no...

I had a look at Albert's military records via Ancestry, he was medically discharged from the 35th Batt. AIF in 1917, due to an old fracture of the left fore arm resulting in a deformity at the elbow and reduced arm movement, aggravated by war service. You can see his arm holding the loaf appears misshapen.
Albert had served overseas and so qualified for the British war service medals: Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.
www.worldwar1luton.com/object/pip-squeak-and-wilfred-wwi-...

What a wonderful image!
Pretty sure that's a wall bracket on the kero lamp. What's in the plate - maybe a boiled potato? Wire toasting fork on the far side of the plate. Looking at the dates on Ancestry, it would appear Albert sustained the fracture as a child.

thanks for the great insights from these comments. Noticed also the toilet in the background.

Congrats on Explore! ⭐ January 15, 2024

Sehr schönes Bild, mag ich.

Congrats on Xplore!!

Congrats on Explore! ❤📷❤ great image! regards.

Great subject and photo! Congrats on Explore!