Issue Details: First known date: 1990... 1990 [Review Essay] The Black Diggers : Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in the Second World War
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Both text and photographs of The Black Diggers are a revelation. This is the first comprehensive account written of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women of World War II. Among the many photographs there are two of Leonard Waters from Nindigully, South Queensland, an Aboriginal combat pilot who served in Borneo. Aboriginal ground crewmen also served in Northern Australia. Soldiers who went overseas, having enlisted early in the war, included the late Reg Saunders (promoted to Sergeant in mid-1940, and to Lieutenant late in 1944), and Stewart Murray (a Corporal in 1945). Islanders included Charles Mene, Victor Blanco and Ted Loban. Oodgeroo Noonuccal was an AWAS signaler, but Neville Bonner and Willie Thaiday were turned away as recruits, owing to military racial prejudice.'  (Introduction)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon Australian Aboriginal Studies no. 1 1990 Z772454 1990 periodical issue

    'Transitional provisions are presently in place to allow for a smooth change over from the old Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies to the new Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). The former Council met for the last time in March and, by the time this edition of Australian Aboriginal Studies is published, four new Council members will have been elected by the membership. Hopefully the new Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr Robert Tickner, will also have appointed the five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who will make up the balance of the nine member Council. The new Act thus ensures by statute what the membership had previously decreed through the bllot box—that there should be an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander majority on Council. The membership will also have elected the new Research Advisory Committee (RAC) consisting of eight elected members, three Council members appointed by Council and the Principal. The RA C will advise Council on research grant and membership applications and on other research-related issues. Here in Canberra, staff at the Institute are attempting to come to terms with what, by any standards, must be seen as a rather long and cumbersome name. Even the acronym (AIATSIS) can hardly be said to roll off the tongue. There are no plans to rename the journal.' (Editorial introduction)

    1990
    pg. 55-57
Last amended 28 Sep 2017 11:54:59
55-57 [Review Essay] The Black Diggers : Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in the Second World Warsmall AustLit logo Australian Aboriginal Studies
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