The message conveyed will be interpreted differently by members of the same cultural group depending on spiritual knowledge. Meaning in art is something to be learnt and rights to this learning may not be available to all members of the group. It may depend on sex, age and kinship relations.
Message sticks vary considerably throughout Australia.
Some carry fine incisions, others have painted designs. Through verbal and non-verbal communication, Aboriginal people keep the Dreaming alive. The women get up, grabbing a digging stick, and walk to where the goanna went into the hole. They dig up the goanna and bash it on the head. She throws the goanna on the fire, where it sizzles and spits hot fat on to the lazy husband, waking him up.