Bush Mechanics

First job today is to play bush mechanics - this could be good to do in pairs. Beware - you will be reminded the bush is harsh and unrelenting, too many mistakes and you will be sent back to the start.

Kumanjayi (Tom Kantor), who was the manager of Warlpiri Media serveral years ago approached Francis Jupurrurla Kelly about using the inventiveness of the local mechanics as an idea for television. Together, with Simba (Adrian) Nelson they developed the idea further into the original television documentary - Bush Mechanics.

Both the documentary and the series use the memories of Warlpiri elder - Jack Jakamarra Ross - in his early encounters with both white men and motor vehicles. These memories, together with the adventures of the Jupurrula gang, form the basis of Bush Mechanics for television.

Despite being located in Yuendumu (300 km north west of Alice Springs in a remote area of Australia) Warlpiri Media produced this award winning and popular documentary.

What a lot of people don't realise however, is that the makers of the original Bush Mechanics were not the same as for the series, which was produced by Film Australia.

Ultimately Bush Mechanics for television was a co-operative idea, by a group of people working for Warlpiri Media Association. The concept, theme, characters are the property of Warlpiri Media Association as the representative media body for the Warlpiri.

While there are no plans in the near future for another series, stay posted for upcoming news.