Narlim grew up at the mission because, after working for Cahill, Nipper saw strategic value in an alliance with missionaries. Narlim was born in 1909, making him around the same age as the fictional Gutjuk.
Narlim was eldest son of senior traditional owner of the land at Oenpelli - Nipper Marakarra. This reminds us of a real historical figure, Narlim. Nipper Marakarra Gumurdul standing behind seated man. The original missionaries at Oenpelli were an older, socially awkward couple with prior experience: Alf and Mary Dyer. The latter, Claire, speaks the local language. In High Ground, the mission is run by a young brother and sister team. His policy has been to hunt them, because of the cattle killing as you read between the lines you will see plenty of problems for the Superintendent of Oenpelli - we will have an uphill fight. Campbell said he had about 300 last Christmas. Campbell, too, was a returned serviceman, described as violent. After Cahill left Oenpelli in 1922, caretaker Don Campbell managed the station until missionaries arrived. In High Ground, the police officers’ earlier experience as soldiers fuels their bloody tactics. Punishment for those Cahill suspected to be responsible was swift and violent. In 1917, strychnine was mixed into the family’s butter, killing their dog, and making Paddy’s wife Maria and two Aboriginal housemaids, Marealmark and Topsy seriously ill. Provoked by his behaviour, traditional owners instigated a plot to take out Cahill and his household. Gurrhwek Mangiru (left) with baby Albert Balmana, and unidentified woman and baby (right), Oenpelli, c.1925.
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