The Long Grass

We'd never heard about going long grass before coming here.  It's a colloquial term meaning absconding to drink grog.  People stay in the long grass.  In a dry community, it's a real issue for those going to Darwin.  It's a big temptation to have a few drinks...

Do you remember "Bruce"?  He has been sick, mostly because he has had rheumatic fever in the past, and a heart affected by alcohol over the years.  He has been struggling.  His younger brother came to see me about him.  This brother is a big bloke, and has a commanding presence.  He has been able to avoid grog, and felt so strongly as a 23 year old, nicked a front end loader from the shire depot and bulldozed the back of the pub.  (The shell of the pub still stands - the ultimate pub with no beer.)  This brother's advice was that Bruce would find a trip to Darwin a strong call to the long grass.

But what to do?  His blood tests suggested a heart attack, and we needed to know what was going on.  Lots of talk later, he did go, and managed for a while.  Last Thursday he wasn't in the ward that he was meant to be in, and was no where to be found.

Bruce's wife is delightful.  She has been dropping in a couple of times each day, anxious that I might be upset with him.  She suggested a family meeting.  "OK, 11am on Tuesday."

Today at about 10.45, she came in saying there was a mob outside for the meeting.  With one of the nurses, I sat with 20-25, mostly women and children.  We took over the education room.  Two blokes sat at the side.  It was a fun time of talk, laughs and a few tears.  Most of the talk was MurrinhPatha.  One bloke wandered in at 11, annoyed that no-one woke him up in time.  We decided together that we would look after "Bruce" the best we could in Wadeye.  After about 30 minutes of talk, something happened and everyone got up and left.

I asked later what was the talk about the meeting.  Apparently they think that "Bruce" must have cancer!  How did that happen?  I guess I have a bit to learn!

And "Bruce"?  He was found today and is back in hospital.  I think.