The Enduring Legacy of Bruce Pascoe's Dark Emu and the Personal Journey Behind Black Duck

In the realm of Australian literature, few books have sparked conversations and debates quite like Bruce Pascoe's Dark Emu. Selling over 360,000 copies since its publication a decade ago, Pascoe's groundbreaking exploration of precolonial Aboriginal agricultural practices has not only reshaped perceptions but also ignited a cultural discourse. However, it's Pascoe's latest work, Black Duck, co-authored with his wife, Lyn Harwood, that offers a deeply personal reflection on the aftermath of Dark Emu's impact, intertwined with their life at Yumburra, their property on the outskirts of Mallacoota, Victoria.

Key Takeaways:

• Dark Emu has significantly influenced the dialogue around Aboriginal agricultural practices in Australia.
• Bruce Pascoe's new memoir, Black Duck, co-written with Lyn Harwood, delves into their life post-Dark Emu, focusing on personal and environmental recovery.
• The 2019 bushfires that threatened Pascoe's property brought into sharp focus the tangible impacts of climate change and the importance of sustainable land management.

Pascoe's Black Duck is more than a memoir; it's a narrative that weaves together the threads of personal loss, environmental disaster, and the quest for sustainable agriculture and land management practices. The memoir, set against the backdrop of the 2019 bushfires that ravaged the area around their property, offers an intimate glimpse into the life of a man who has found himself at the epicenter of a national debate. It recounts the physical and emotional journey of rebuilding not just a property but a life intertwined with the land and its history.

What Would You Save from a Fire?

In an evocative recounting, Pascoe shares the harrowing experience of the 2019 bushfires, revealing the personal items he chose to save as the flames approached. Among these were a possum-skin cloak made by his family for his 70th birthday, a painting gifted by Lyn, and a stone given by Uncle Jim Berg for protection. These items, beyond their physical value, symbolize the deep connections Pascoe holds with his heritage, family, and the land. The narrative brings to light the stark realities faced by individuals living in fire-prone regions, emphasizing the importance of heritage, community support, and resilience in the face of natural disasters.

The Most Useful Object

Pascoe's recount of his most valued possessions extends to the practical with the mention of his Case tractor, a testament to the daily realities of farm life and land management. The tractor's significance goes beyond its utility, reflecting the physical toll of Pascoe's past and his enduring connection to the land. This narrative thread underscores the memoir's broader theme: a call to reevaluate our relationship with the environment and adopt more sustainable practices.

A Personal and Cultural Reflection

Black Duck stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the urgency of addressing climate change and land management issues. Pascoe's reflections on the personal costs of public scrutiny, the intimate battle with environmental disaster, and the path toward healing and sustainable living offer profound insights into the challenges and responsibilities we face collectively.

In sharing his journey, Pascoe extends an invitation to readers to consider the legacy of our actions on the environment and the importance of understanding and respecting the wisdom of Indigenous agricultural practices. Black Duck is not just a memoir; it is a blueprint for a more sustainable and interconnected future, rooted in the rich soil of Australia's past.

Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra by Bruce Pascoe with Lyn Harwood is a beacon of hope and resilience, illuminating the path forward through the wisdom of the past. As Pascoe prepares to share his insights at the Melbourne and Sydney writers' festivals, his work continues to inspire and challenge us to envision a better, more sustainable world.