Noongars  |  Gus Ryder

 

 

I grew up near the Avon River at Northam, and at New Norcia. My parents lived by the river in a little house; we called it humpty-do.

 

My Dad was very good with ponies and worked for the veterinarian. We had five ponies - Flicker, Baldy, Lady, Tenderfoot and Strawberry. There was a big flood of the Avon River one time and I had to swim across the river to rescue my ponies.

 

As a teenager I played football at New Norcia Mission. I was in the Wanderers football club, which was started in Bishop Savado's time. In the mid 1980s, I revived the Wanderers football tradition down here in Perth, and coached a team in Balga and then in Koondoola.

 

I worked for farmers around New Norcia and Northam. My father had worked with horses and carts, but in my time we worked with tractors and injections for the cattle.

 

I still coach football, and have recently started writing poems and songs.

 

 

Gus Ryder talking about Northam floods

Gus Ryder talks about 'My Mia Mia Home'

Gus Ryder talks about a Lily that grew on the grave of his grandmother.

Gus Ryder talks about his father teaching him how to hunt & trapping with wild ponies

Gus Ryder talks about his infinite love of family

Gus Ryder talks about his Mother buying a home

Gus Ryder talks about his parents working around the Northam area

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