Five decades since its initial publication, The Rainbow Serpent by Dick Roughsey remains a cherished cornerstone of Australian children's literature. This beloved work, first published in 1975, continues to captivate readers and is currently competing in Guardian Australia's reader poll to determine the best Australian children's picture book of all time.
A Creation Story of Enduring Power
The book presents the powerful creation narrative of the Rainbow Serpent, known as Goorialla, from the perspective of Roughsey himself. Born as Goobalathaldin, meaning "rough seas," Roughsey was a senior Lardil man from Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, and a gifted author and artist whose work has transcended generations.
This ancestral being is depicted as a tremendous force shaping the world, whose dramatic movements formed Australia's distinctive landscapes. The serpent's presence is both inspiring and formidable, causing people to transform into the continent's rich variety of birds and animals, including emus, turkeys, brolgas, barramundi, tortoises, and possums.
Cultural Legacy and Spiritual Connection
The stories of the Rainbow Serpent remain central to Aboriginal cultural identity and spiritual belief systems. These narratives connect people to the profound power of the Australian landscape, reflecting deep principles of caring for country and cultural laws that have endured for millennia.
Through his work, Roughsey established the laws of human society, demonstrating how to perform ritual song and dance while emphasising the importance of caring for both country and community. Although the events described occurred during the world's creation, the Rainbow Serpent continues to live within the cultural consciousness of Indigenous peoples today.
As Roughsey himself wrote: "Now the remaining people have to look after all the animals, all the living things which were men and women in the beginning but who were too afraid of old Goorialla to remain as people. The shooting star racing across the sky at night is the eye of Goorialla – watching everyone."
Visualising the Unimaginable
The Rainbow Serpent represents a groundbreaking achievement in Indigenous storytelling and visual representation. Roughsey's work provided readers with their first opportunity to visualise this sacred being through Indigenous imagination, offering a magnificent portrayal of the divine forces shaping the Australian continent.
The book's splendid artwork and gracious storytelling reflect Roughsey's generosity in sharing the spirit of his country, while demonstrating how lightly he carried the enormity of his cultural legacy. His multifocal vision enabled him to create a lasting gift that shares important stories from his homeland with audiences worldwide.
A Complex Personal History
Dick Roughsey's personal journey adds profound depth to his creative legacy. As a child of about eight years, he was separated from his parents due to repressive Queensland laws that dominated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives during that era. These policies led to the removal of Indigenous children from their families for assimilation purposes.
Placed in the boys' dormitory on the Mornington Island Mission for the remainder of his childhood, Roughsey experienced limited contact with his family. Despite these challenging circumstances, he developed into a refined and sophisticated individual with superb intellect and magnanimity.
Remarkably cosmopolitan and well-travelled, Roughsey spoke with the dignity of an English gentleman while maintaining fluent command of his native Lardil language. He often remarked that he spoke the Queen's English better than most of her subjects in Australia and elsewhere, crediting missionaries for this linguistic ability while never forgetting the traditional law stories passed down through generations.
Enduring Cultural Impact
The continued publication and popularity of The Rainbow Serpent represents a significant cultural achievement. Families and teachers across Australia and beyond continue to share Goobalathaldin's seminal creation story with thousands of children, ensuring its place in the national psyche.
Roughsey emerged from a long lineage of wise Lardil minds, belonging to the combined cultures of the Rainbow Serpent in the Gulf of Carpentaria. As Gangalidda elder and leader Murrandoo Yanner has observed: "All we have got to give to the world is our humanity."
This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the enduring gift of Dick Roughsey's work – a generous sharing of cultural wisdom that continues to enrich Australian society fifty years after its initial publication. The book's longevity serves as testament to the power of Indigenous storytelling and its vital role in shaping national identity and imagination.
