Scene 1 openson the Government Well Aboriginal Reserve in 1929. Jimmy Munday, an Aboriginal man, lives in a home with his family: Gran (his mother), Milly Milimurra and her husband Sam, and the Millimurra children Joe, Cissie, and David. 

David and Cissie play cricket nearby while Sam makes coffee and Joe reads the Centenary issue of The Western Mail. Jimmy is there as well, sharpening an ax. 

The focus of Scene 1 is that conditions are difficult for people on the reservations. Through subtle conversations about washing clothes, hygiene, and the requirement for the children to hunt rabbits for supper, there are hints that the family is subject to discrimination and are living in poverty. 

In the town of Northam, Frank Brown and Sergeant Carrol are having a discussion. Sergeant Carrol interrogates Frank and accuses him of associating with a native. When Brown protests that it isn’t against the law, Carrol says that Jimmie Munday was seen with alcohol and insinuates that Frank sold it to him. Giving alcohol to a native is a crime. He tells Frank that if he isn’t careful he could wind up in jail. 

Inside, Milly and Gran come to collect rations. They are told that soap is no longer included as a ration item.