Not Just Black and White

by Lesley Williams

  In 2010, some of the descendants of Granny and Grandfather Chambers contributed money to erect headstones on their graves, in place of the plain wooden crosses that once marked them. Each of us wanted an enduring reminder of the legacy of values these two old people have left us. When the time came to unveil the headstones there was a sense of poetic justice – although four decades had passed since her funeral, I felt Granny was finally given the respect and dignity she so rightly deserved.

  These days I return to Cherbourg when I can to visit family and reconnect with my childhood memories. Although much has changed in the community since I lived there last, some things have remained the same. The bunya tree Grandfather planted in front of our yard is still growing strong after all these years. The little cottage I grew up in has long since been knocked down, and in its place is a newer home, where my sister Sandra and her family still live. Six generations of our mob have now called that same spot ‘home’.

  In recent years there has been a revival among the people of Cherbourg, a yearning to reclaim their history and culture. This was especially so in 2004, when the community acknowledged the hundredth anniversary of Cherbourg’s establishment. Despite its history as a source of cheap Aboriginal labour, the Cherbourg centenary celebrations were nevertheless joyous occasions, on which we reclaimed the past and celebrated our survival of that history.

  To coincide with the anniversary, Sandra and I came up with the idea of converting the old ration shed into a museum. In place of the paltry food rations that were once handed out to families each week, the ration shed now holds objects of greater value and meaning. The dusty bags of flour and rice have been replaced with a photographic timeline and records of Cherbourg’s families, their stories and achievements. Since the centenary, more members of the community have come on board to continue the revival movement by converting old buildings, left over from the Protection Act era, into thought-provoking exhibits.

  It was not so long ago many of these buildings were for white officials only and out of bounds to blackfullas. Today, the area is called the Cherbourg Historical Precinct and is managed by a local committee, of which my sister Sandra is the president, with respected local Elder, Ada Simpson, her deputy. Most days Sandra volunteers at the Historical Precinct along with our younger siblings, Grace, Jeanette and Frank, and a handful of local people. They generously give their time and share their knowledge in the hope that other Australians can better know and understand their history.

  Although tourist buses are still found driving through Cherbourg’s streets, as they did back in the 1950s and 1960s, the people now come to listen and learn, and not simply to gawk. Today, thousands of people, of all colours and nationalities, visit Cherbourg to learn its history, and leave with a better understanding of its past, and the black history of our nation.

  Acknowledgements

  We wish to acknowledge the author of the poem Tammy quoted in her winning letter in the Michael Jackson Heal the World competition. She found the poem in a teenage magazine and the author wasn’t credited. Since then we have found various versions of the poem but cannot trace the original author. If anyone has knowledge of the original author please contact our publisher, as we would love to thank him or her for writing such a moving piece. It was a pivotal moment in Tammy’s life when she first read it.

  Making this book a reality would not have been possible without the financial assistance of the following organisations and individuals: the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Ann Sherry and Michael Hogan, Arts Queensland, the Australia Council, the Good Shepherd Sisters, Graeme Wise of The Body Shop, Queensland Writers Centre, Copyright Agency Cultural Fund and the wonderful team at UQP – in particular Madonna Duffy, Jacqueline Blanchard and Joanne Holliman – thank you for your commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander literature and ongoing support of the David Unaipon award.

  To all our family and friends who have supported us in life and not just during the writing of this book, we thank you. There are too many to name individually without risking, inadvertently, a name being left off the list. But we sincerely hope you understand how appreciative we are to have you walk alongside us on our journey. There are however, some special people we must thank because without their involvement this book would never have been completed.

  Steve Rothfield and Jackie Yowell generously supported and offered friendship over many years. Jackie, our dear friend and mentor, thank you for believing in us and in this project.

  Dan and Rodney encouraged us and understood the need to tell this story. As always, our successes are a reflection of the support we have received and the continued sacrifices we have made as a family.

  And finally, we sincerely wish to thank Jason, Kgiaum and Nalji. Words cannot describe our gratitude for your patience, love, understanding and unwavering support over many years. No one has forgone more than you so this book could be completed.

  - Lesley and Tammy

  Mum, in years to come when I reflect on my life, I will regard the time spent with you writing this book as among the times I treasure the most. It has been an honour and absolute privilege ‘to get to know you’ – not only as my mother, but also as the respected Elder in our community you deserve to be. Thank you.

  - Tammy

  My Tid-Tid, thank you for all the hard work and sacrifices you have made so we could write this book. I will always be grateful.

  - Mum

  The entry to Cherbourg State Aboriginal Settlement during the 1950s included a notice to visitors: ‘It is an offence to enter this reserve without authority. Every person entering this reserve is required to report to the superintendent.’ (Courtesy Joan Alterator, Nurse Secombe Collection)

  An aerial view of Cherbourg during the 1920s–30s shows the rows of houses that made up the ‘camp’ where Aboriginal families lived. The trees and larger houses in the centre of the picture are where the white administrators lived. The settlement also had a superintendent’s office, hospital, hygiene depot, retail store, school, dairy farm and saw mill. (Courtesy Queensland Museum)

  Cherbourg school in the 1950s where, before school, children would be lined up and inspected for cleanliness. (Courtesy State Library of Queensland/John Oxley Library)

  Granny (Nancy) Chambers worked at the Cherbourg soup kitchen during the winter months. (Courtesy Queensland Museum/Betty McKenzie Collection)

  Lesley’s ‘Cherbourg’ parents, Jack (Pa) and Naomi (Ma) Malone, on Fantome Island where one person was allowed just one visit per year. (Courtesy Sandra Morgan)

  The house where Lesley grew up at Cherbourg after renovations. The bunya tree is still standing. (Courtesy State Library of Queensland/John Oxley Library)

  Granny and Mum (Ma) under the bunya tree with (left to right): Donny, Donald, Jeanette, Frank, Claude, Lesley and Grace. Dawn is standing in front of Lesley with a friend. (Courtesy Amy Farr-Wihangi)

  Cooking and sewing classes were held in a domestic-science building. After primary school, most girls from Cherbourg would be trained in making beds, cooking and cleaning before being contracted out to work as domestic servants. (Courtesy State Library of Queensland/John Oxley Library).

  Lesley posing before the debutante ball in September 1964.

  Lesley and Andrée at Lesley’s 21st birthday party, which Andrée Roberts and her husband hosted at their Clayfield residence.

  Lesley and friend Avril visiting Brisbane’s McDonnell & East department store in 1968. This was one of the few Brisbane stores where Aboriginal women were allowed to shop. The Department of Native Affairs set up an account on behalf of the women in lieu of exchanging cash. (Courtesy Jim Fenwick)

  Lesley and husband Willie, with Tammy, Dan and Rodney, in front of Willie’s truck loaded with pine logs. (Courtesy Lyn Harold)

  The Williams family in happier times at Calico Creek, 1982.

  This photo of Tammy,
Dan, Lesley and Rodney Williams was taken in 1994 while Tammy and Rodney were still at high school and Dan was working in Canberra.

  Tammy’s winning letter that earned her a trip to Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in the United States. The letter was later signed by the famous entertainer when he visited Australia for the HIStory world tour.

  A newspaper clipping from the Santa Barbra News-Press on 19 April 1995, showing Tammy giving a press statement in front of Michael Jackson’s house as part of the Heal the World Conference 1995.

  A protest march to Parliament House in Brisbane during the mid-1990s, following a Justice for Aboriginal Workers Campaign rally, organised by Lesley and her sister, Alex. (Courtesy Michael Jackson)

  Lesley proudly signing the Deed of Settlement at a ceremony held in August 1999. Lesley is seated at the table with solicitor Merran Lawler (left) and Kerri Tim. Standing from left to right: sisters Sandra and Alex; sister-in-law Lyn; and children Rodney, Tammy and Dan.

  Tammy made a vow at a young age not to be a troublemaker, almost as an act of rebellion. She graduated with a law degree from Queensland University of Technology in 2001 and was admitted as a barrister the following year.

  First published 2015 by University of Queensland Press

  PO Box 6042, St Lucia, Queensland 4067 Australia

  uqp.com.au

  uqp@uqp.uq.edu.au

  © Lesley Williams and Tammy Williams 2015

  This book is copyright. Except for private study, research, criticism or reviews, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. Enquiries should be made to the publisher.

  Cover design by Christabella Designs

  Cover photographs by (top) Jim Fenwick; (bottom) Rodney Williams

  Typeset in 11.5/16pt Minion Pro by Post Pre-press Group, Brisbane

  Printed in Australia by McPherson’s Printing Group, Melbourne

  Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

  National Library of Australia

  Cataloguing-in-publication data is available at http://catalogue.nla.gov.au

  ISBN 978 0 7022 5384 3 (pbk)

  ISBN 978 0 7022 5593 9 (pdf)

  ISBN 978 0 7022 5594 6 (epub)

  ISBN 978 0 7022 5595 3 (kindle)

  University of Queensland Press uses papers that are natural, renewable

  and recyclable products made from wood grown in sustainable forests.

  The logging and manufacturing processes conform to the environmental

  regulations of the country of origin.