LINDY. WHAT’S LEFT TO SAY…
It is a bright and cold and beautiful June morning in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley when Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton comes to the phone and describes the view from her window.
Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton in Darwin last week with Azaria’s death certificate.
“I look out to the mountain and the ribbons of mist in the morning. There are kangaroos, wombats, possums, fruit bats… I even saw a quoll once. They eat everything I plant. I have two days grace when I see the fruit ripening and if I don’t get in quick, they eat the lot,” she laughs.
We settle in for a good, long (very long, as it turns out) chat on the themes that interest Lindy most these days – forgiveness, healing, faith and justice.
We talk a lot about justice.
At the moment she is updating her book A Dingo’s Got My Baby with what she calls the “epilogue”.
The last version of the book left the reader with uncertainty. An open finding. Now Lindy feels she can at last write “The End” after the fourth inquest into her nine-week-old baby’s death.
Thirty-two years ago, Azaria was killed by a dingo. The end.
“My book’s called A Dingo’s Got My Baby because that’s a real story, it’s not just a comedy line. It’s my life. Part of who I am,” Lindy explains. “It’s my phrase. I said it. I’ll use it.”
“It’s done. This era’s over for me now, although I’m not naïve enough to think other people will let it go. I don’t suppose Australians will ever ask: Lindy who? My story is probably woven into the lore and fabric of Australia now, a bit like Ned Kelly.”
Just as opinions are still divided on Ned Kelly, she acknowledges that Australians either love her or hate her.
However, she relates with a laugh that her husband Rick has put a magnet on the fridge that reads: “Well-behaved women rarely make history.”
Lindy mentions a forthcoming television interview to be given by her ex-husband Michael Chamberlain and hopes the era is finished for him too.
“We’ll find out, I suppose,” she sighs.
It’s rumoured that Michael will ask for a formal apology from the Northern Territory Government for the family’s suffering. When I suggest it, Lindy replies smartly that she “doesn’t want to go there”.
“Forcing people to apologise is no good. In another 30 years we’ll all be dead. Time to move on.”
“I could handle things he couldn’t and he could handle things I couldn’t,” she says of Michael. “And sometimes it gets to the point where a couple can’t relate and have to rely upon friends or the strangers who come out of the woodwork.”
She is steeling herself for some sort of “backlash” from Michael’s interview, but if it does come, she will be ready with an arsenal of techniques she has gathered over the past 32 years to bring her to where she is now.
To a place where she has some wisdom to impart.
So we start with forgiveness.
I’m under no illusion that I have been given the chance to talk to Lindy by her representatives because when the coroner’s verdict came out I made a public apology to her for a comedy routine I performed about her in the 80s.
But still, it was surprising when the call came: “Would you like to talk to Lindy?”
We’ve never met that I can recall, although Lindy thinks we were once sat at opposite ends of a table at a birthday party, the Logies, a Women’s Weekly event? Neither of us can remember where or when. But we do agree that for a big country, Australia’s a small place.
Too damn small at times. I’ve been around long enough now to know that you say something rude about someone, they will surely hear of it.
I tell her the reason that I said sorry was that, when I looked back, I felt I’d been part of an unedifying free-for-all and I really should have known better.
She’s not about to give me absolution and say: “Thank you, Wendy. Good girl. Here’s a pat on the head for you.”
“You joined the mob mentality and you knew better than to do that,” she says. “That’s your lesson and it has absolutely nothing to do with me.”
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37 Responses to this article
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Kate S. June 20, 2012
Lindy doesn’t want to be defined by what happened to her because of that event 32 years ago at Uluru.
She faced it all with grace and courage. At times the loss and the injustice must been close to overwhelming,
No matter what happens in life, you can go beyond it with grace and courage. And it doesn’t matter if that wavers from time to time.. That is what I take personally from Lindy’s experience although I never saw her waver.
A truly strong and noble woman. Thanks for the story.
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Carz June 20, 2012
Thank you Lindy, for still being willing to show your true self to a country that has caused you such pain.
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alan June 20, 2012
Wonderful read. Extraordinary. Words fail me
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Kaz June 20, 2012
Wow, what an amazing interview Wendy. And Lindy, despite your protestations otherwise, your faith, courage, bravery and truth in the face of such adversity is an inspiration.
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Katherine June 20, 2012
Wonderful piece. Lindy Chamberlain is an extraordinary woman. Her strength of character comes through every word.
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Belinda June 20, 2012
I hope there more articles to comes, I want to know more about what you talked about its like this article is only just getting started
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Leah pallaris. June 20, 2012
in life some people get to carry their own cross, and still come out of it alive, Lindy Chamberlain, your faith and hope were tested and you passed.
POWER to WOMEN, everywhere, your strenght and courage was the LESSON we all can only hope to have in our own lives.
GOD BLESS you and your family. -
Marina June 20, 2012
Lindy is one classy lady. Graceful, brave and wise. I wish I could have some of her strength in me to face life’s awful moments which I hope are never the horrific that she has lived through. Amazing woman. Beautiful interview.
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Lynne June 20, 2012
It seems that when faced with adversity we have a choice to grow or shrivel up. It seems that Lindy has chosen the former & I gain inspiration from reading her story & the stories of others like her. Garry Lynch, who suffered through the violent murder of his daughter Anita Cobby, is also inspiring in his forgiveness of perpetrators.
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Prue June 20, 2012
In tears over my lunch. Thank you Lindy and Wendy.
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sam June 20, 2012
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Annie Also June 20, 2012
As an atheist I like that she says that forgiveness is something you need to give yourself, not for others to bestow.
Wonderful interview.
Thanks Wendy. -
kelli June 20, 2012
good intereview Wendy. Nice to see no sensationalism or ‘dirt digging’
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VK June 20, 2012
In hindsight (a wonderful thing, as they say), it seems unbelievable that this ever happened to Lindy Chamberlain. Even more surprising, to me, though, is that she survived it intact.
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WENDY GREEN June 20, 2012
I’m wondering why Lindy Chamberlain is not The Hoopla’s Woman of the Week?
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Carole Lyden June 20, 2012
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Sharon Ellam June 20, 2012
Thank you Lindy & Wendy. I last saw a dingo at the Rock as a 10yo in 1979. I saw it take a boxed fruitcake from the front seat of our 4WD by climbing up into the vehicle as we were surveying a campsite. It ran off shaking its head to remove the wrapping. As a child I had that image in my little head for years with Azaria as I knew it was true.
More tears fall from my eyes again today as I read this article. Maybe the recent response has been a ‘collective mourning’ that has been allowed to be expressed publicly without the media cynicism & hype finally. That beautiful baby, & those beautiful innocent little boys, will always raise a tear in my eyes.
Wendy, can you forgive yourself? Will that ever happen? As a Counsellor, all I can say is that with time maybe you might be kinder towards yourself. As a girl who knows how to beat herself up, I often ask ‘What does forgiveness look like?’
Lindy, I deeply hope that your sons are finally OK too (whatever OK looks like). I remember no-one asking if the boys were OK. -
Maree June 20, 2012
A truly amazing lady filled with courage and grace. I am so happy for Lindy. Thanks for the interview.
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Sian Morton June 20, 2012
What a good insight into a truly remarkable woman. I have always believed in her innocence, but I wish I had done more than just sign petitions.
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Anne June 20, 2012
Thanks for such an inspirational article – great for a reread at times when old scars are exposed and one feels temporarily discouraged!
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Beth June 20, 2012
Thank you Wendy and thank you Lindy . I was 11 years old when Azaria was taken. the story touched me profoundly and was a defining moment in my childhood. It was the first time I realised that you can’t trust the Australian legal system. I remember being so shocked that so many adults could be so wrong.The other day when the inquest finally resolved the case I attempted to explain to my daughter (who is 11 this year) why this news meant so much to me. Sometimes it takes a long long time for the Truth to set you free.
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Sharon Ellam June 24, 2012
Beth we must have inhabited the same rainbow. Same age – similar defining moment. I explained it to one of my children as I cried last week. My child solemnly listened.
Forever in my memory as it was also the same year that I was first abused. The 10yo inside of me has that whole year mixed up together. Truth – justice – fear – abandonment. One day I hope she’ll come out the other side of the rainbow with a clean face. x
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Benison O'Reilly June 20, 2012
A privilege to be able to read this. What a woman. I’m disturbed just thinking about the innocents in gaol, without Lindy’s amazing strength of character and family support.
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Georgie June 20, 2012
What a fabulous article! The thing I most like about Lindy is that, even after enduring decades worth of condemnation, she still has the generosity to forgive. Good for you, Lindy – and thanks for sharing your wisdom.
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Mez June 20, 2012
Lindy is a National Treasure. It would take most of us five lifetimes to acquire the wisdom she has. I would love her to do a series of talks or workshops. Her lessons in dignity, self belief and resilience would be priceless for our young people. But most of all and above everything, I wish Lindy and her family every peace and happiness for the future xx
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Sere June 21, 2012
Beautiful woman with such a strong character is Lindy
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dramaqueen75 June 22, 2012
Thank you Lindy and thank you Wendy
An inspiring and thought provoking read -
Pusskin June 24, 2012
Thank you Wendy, for this truly beautiful story. And thank you, Lindy, for living a life of grace.
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Mel June 26, 2012
If her faith is the mainstay of what brought her through, Lindy is a wonderful exemplar for Christianity (or any other faith). Her stoicism and wisdom now is something she is giving back to a country which appeared to have abandoned her and certainly doubted her. For my part, I am humbled. Thank you for the revelations.
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felicity June 29, 2012
truly inspiring…. great work wendy! lindy your determination and strength is something we can all learn from x
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Miranda June 29, 2012
Lovely article, thanks Wendy. You come across kind of humbled by Lindy, which I suspect is the way a lot of Australians are feeling by now. Her trial appears to have been a horrifying example of groupthink. I eagerly await her book, her words and wisdom have often provided me with comfort.
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More June 30, 2012
I learned the power of apology and forgiveness when my sister died last year. We’d had a major disagreement that kept us apart for ten years. It was only when I made a conscious effort to put the issue aside that my sister apologized – I forgave her instantly and apologized for my part too. From that point I felt we saw each other. I was with her for the last three months of her life and it was one of the greatest gifts – I glimpsed some of the beauty and mystery of death, it was not how I’d expected at all. Wendy, perhaps you and your writing team could assist Linda to communicate more of her wisdom through your site? (I recall the day of the verdict. I thought ‘Have I missed some vital piece of evidence? I never believed she was guilty, the whole trial was a disgrace).
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Margy July 6, 2012
This article was sensitively and beautifully written. There is so much to learn from Lindy. It is hard to fathom that Azaria died so long ago and yet she and her family are very much a part of our story today. Thankyou Lindy for forgiving those who caused so much hurt and grief to you and your family. It reminds me of the words Jesus spoke as he was crucified: ” Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.” It is hard for us to comprehend what you have suffered but this article helps us to see what a beautiful person you have become.
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Rhoda July 24, 2012
I have often thought of Lindy and what she has gone through – is still going through. She is one in a million and I salute her.
I used to cringe when I saw the awful graffiti. People forgot they were joking about the death of a baby girl.
And there were few voices raised above the noise of the rabble. It has damaged the national character. I can’t ever think of the outback without thinking of Lindy and Azaria and what was done to them.
