The 1920s saw a severe drought in Central Australia and many small communities were devastated. To raise money for the mission, Namatjira and others began to create ornamented artefacts. Early works included boomerangs and wood plaques decorated with native flowers, and Central Australian landscapes including accurately observed emus and kangaroos. The new industry proved successful and laid the foundation for later art movements. This plaque is considered part of Namatjira's first commission as an artist. In 1932, Constable William McKinnon ordered 13 plaques depicting his camel patrol. Each featured its six camels with Constable McKinnon in the lead and his ‘black tracker' or ‘camel boy’ on the last. Namatjira received five shillings for each plaque.