Rex Ingamells, Australian author and poet (d. 1955)

Reginald Charles Ingamells (19 January 1913 – 30 December 1955), universally recognized as Rex Ingamells, was a pivotal figure in 20th-century Australian literature, widely credited as the principal driving force and leading light behind the influential Jindyworobak Movement. Born in Orroroo, South Australia, Ingamells’ early life, as the son of a Methodist minister, instilled a unique perspective that would later shape his profound artistic vision.

His intellectual journey commenced at Port Lincoln High School, where he first cultivated a keen interest in poetry, a passion that deepened during his subsequent studies at Prince Alfred College and the University of Adelaide. These academic pursuits broadened his intellectual and cultural horizons, setting the stage for his significant literary contributions.

The Birth of a Poetic Identity: The Jindyworobak Movement

A transformative period for Ingamells occurred at the turn of the 1930s when he embarked on extensive travels through the Australian outback. This deep immersion in the vast and ancient landscape ignited an intense fascination with Indigenous Australian culture, its intrinsic connection to the land, and its rich tapestry of mythologies and spiritual understanding. This profound personal engagement became the direct catalyst for his founding of the Jindyworobak Movement a few years later, specifically formalizing its tenets with the publication of the "Conditional Culture" manifesto in 1938.

The Jindyworobak Movement emerged as a significant literary initiative, advocating for a distinctively Australian poetic voice, one that consciously rejected the pervasive "cultural cringe" – the prevailing sense of cultural inferiority towards European traditions. Its core philosophy urged white Australian poets to immerse themselves in and incorporate Indigenous Australian environmental values, linguistic nuances, and ancient mythologies into their work. The name "Jindyworobak" itself, coined by Ingamells, was derived from a Woiwurrung word (an Aboriginal language of the Kulin nation in Victoria) meaning "to annex" or "join," symbolizing the movement's ambition to integrate Indigenous cultural elements and perspectives to forge a truly national literature, free from derivative European influences.

Rex Ingamells' Enduring Literary Legacy

Ingamells’ literary career officially began with the publication of his first book, Gum Tops, in 1935. This seminal collection, along with his numerous subsequent works and critical essays, served as the foundational texts for the Jindyworobak aesthetic, consistently exploring themes central to the Australian landscape and its unique spirit. He was a prolific writer and tireless advocate, championing the movement’s principles through both his creative output and his critical discourse.

Tragically, Rex Ingamells’ impactful life was cut short on December 30, 1955, at the age of 42. He died near Dimboola, Victoria, as a result of a fatal car-crash. His untimely passing brought an end to a brief but remarkably influential career that profoundly reshaped the trajectory of Australian poetry and its determined quest for an authentic, independent national voice.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rex Ingamells and the Jindyworobak Movement

Who was Rex Ingamells?
Reginald Charles Ingamells (1913–1955), known as Rex Ingamells, was an influential Australian poet and the visionary founder of the Jindyworobak Movement, a significant literary group dedicated to forging a uniquely Australian poetic identity by embracing Indigenous culture and the Australian environment.
What was the Jindyworobak Movement?
The Jindyworobak Movement was an Australian literary movement active primarily from the mid-1930s to the early 1950s. Initiated by Rex Ingamells, it aimed to develop a distinctively Australian poetry by integrating Indigenous Australian themes, environmental perspectives, and elements of Aboriginal languages, seeking to move beyond European literary conventions and counter the 'cultural cringe'.
What does 'Jindyworobak' mean and what was its significance?
The term "Jindyworobak" was coined by Rex Ingamells from a Woiwurrung word (an Aboriginal language of the Kulin nation, Victoria) meaning "to annex" or "join." This name symbolically represented the movement's central goal: to 'annex' or 'join' Indigenous cultural elements and the unique Australian landscape into a new form of Australian poetry.
What was Rex Ingamells' primary contribution to Australian literature?
Rex Ingamells' most significant contribution was conceiving, establishing, and leading the Jindyworobak Movement. Through this, he championed the development of a distinctively Australian literary voice, compelling poets to draw inspiration from Australia's unique environment and its rich Indigenous heritage, thereby profoundly influencing the national literary landscape.