First Time in Melbourne
by Ali Coby Eckermann

One old man from Aurukun
went bravely to the city
New hat, new boots, new cowboy shirt
Him looking deadly pretty.

“Watcha doing here old man?” I ask
“You long way from home?”
“My grandson got an hexhibition
So I thought I betta come.”

I explained about the artwork
And that there would be a mob
Free finger food for supper
And also some free grog.

I drew a map to guide his way
And wished him all the best
He walked off proudly down the street
He was so deadly dressed!

So he walked into the venue
And free grog was on the go
He sipped some beer and had some food
And thought about the cold.

The women here were barely dressed
He felt a little shame
But during conversation
He proudly told his name.

The women asked “excuse me sir
Are you sure you should be here?”
“Yes certainly honey bunch”
He smiled from ear to ear.

And then he asked the question
“Where do the artworks sit?”
Everyone seemed puzzled
For just a little bit.

“Excuse me sir, we think that you
Are at the wrong address.
The Koori Heritage Centre
Is just up the road we guess.”

The old man finally found the place
His grandson was real proud
And so the old man mingled
In that strong black Koori crowd.

And more free grog and food was shared
Until they ask him “Why you late?”
He said “I went that other place
at number fifty eight.”

Grandson stared at Grandfather
With laughter in his voice
“Tjamu do you realise
You visited a brothel house?”

Grandfather said “Them women down the road
They really nice and friendly
They don’t wear much clothes in winter here –
I think it’s pretty deadly!”

Ali Coby Eckermann, May 2011