Synopsis

The Kimberley Man is a story of Western Australia’s first Aboriginal parliamentarian, Ernie Bridge.

Told from the unique perspective of Ernie’s grandson Jeremy Thomson (who also directs the film) this documentary is a revealing look at Ernie’s role in giving the Aboriginal people of the Kimberley an unprecedented voice in Western Australian politics and insight into the fascinating obstacles overcome in the name of progress.

Fierce politics and racially motivated skulduggery put the wild into the west, transforming the Kimberley into a battleground where a fight for Aboriginal rights sought to improve the destiny of our nation. At the centre of this was Ernie Bridge. With a personality that would never quit, his is a story that every Australian should know.

Ernie Bridge was a Renaissance man; a country music star, a drover boss and a pilot. Jeremy discovers how his grandfather wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, could talk to the people and soar high above the obstacles that sought to stifle progress of Australia’s Aboriginal people.

By uncovering forgotten tapes of his grandfather, Ernie’s memory is brought poignantly to life alongside rare accounts from Aboriginal people who witnessed some of its defining events. The result is an authentic new perspective that makes sense of the ‘dirty tricks’ employed against him. Jeremy’s investigation is a personal and explosive look at how some deeply disturbing challenges were overcome by one of Australia’s first Indigenous politicians – a man who would become the first Aboriginal Cabinet Minister in any Australian Government.

Trailer