Palm Island: Through a Long Lens

Front Cover
Aboriginal Studies Press, 2010 - History - 212 pages

Based on extensive archival and oral history research as well as on personal connections with the community, this volume challenges the prevailing negative view of Palm Island, Australia, and argues against the failure to address today’s continuing Indigenous disadvantage. This substantial history recounts some of the most explosive episodes in Queensland history, including the 1930 rampage by the first Superintendent, the community-wide strike by reserve workers in 1957, and the tragic death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee, which triggered civil unrest within the Indigenous community. Often heart-wrenching and at times uplifting, this account is essential reading for anyone interested in the dynamics of power and privilege and their contestation.

 

Contents

A Duty to Protect Everyone
1
Out from the Big Swag
17
From Carpet Snake Country
24
A State of Constant Apprehension
36
As Straight as A Gun Barrel
55
Fiscal Restraint
76
Fantome Island Phantom Welfare
92
We Couldnt Tolerate Any More
102
A Certain Paradise for
121
Heady Days
135
Our Day
146
Conclusion Calling Palm Island Home
157
Notes
162
Bibliography
180
Index
197
Copyright

Common terms and phrases

Aboriginal accessed action advised Affairs alcohol arrest arrived assistance Australian Bartlam became Bill Brisbane Bwgcolman called charge claimed Collection continued Cook Council Courier Court cultural Curry Curry’s custody Daily death Department described doctor dormitory evidence Fantome Island February force girls Gribble Health Hoffman hospital Hurley Indigenous inquest inquiry Institute interview issues jail James July June land late later lives Mail mainland Mapoon March months morning Mulrunji Murri Native North Queensland noted November Operations Palm Island period police Press Prior recalled received recorded relations removed Report reserve residents response result Rights sent Sergeant settlement staff station strike Superintendent Sydney told took Townsville University violence wages wanted weeks witnesses women wrote

About the author (2010)

Dr Joanne Watson is a writer and teacher in Australian social history and health. She currently teaches Indigenous students vocational education in the Logan area. Joanne has worked with Indigenous communities for three decades and undertook extensive archival and oral history research on Palm Island. Watson's long-standing connections with the Palm Island community allow her to present community perspectives of a history from pre-contact to the present.

Bibliographic information

TitlePalm Island: Through a Long Lens
AuthorJoanne Watson
Editionillustrated
PublisherAboriginal Studies Press, 2010
ISBN0855757035, 9780855757038
Length212 pages
Subjects ›  › 

History / Australia & New Zealand
History / Indigenous Peoples in the Americas
Political Science / Human Rights
Social Science / Indigenous Studies
Social Science / Sociology / General
  
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