Des Donley was removed from his mother at six months of age and sent to various Salvation Army foster homes and institutions in Queensland. He never saw his mother again. In line with Salvation Army policy at the time, Donley was educated to the age of fourteen and then sent to work. In various jobs, Donley stood up for his own rights and those of his fellow workers, often at the expense of his job. Coming into contact with the Building Workers Industrial Union, Donley became a strong unionist and a Communist.
In later life, Donley fought for back payment of withheld wages. He eventually reached a confidential settlement with the Queensland Treasury in 2010.
Source: Malcolm Brown, 'Aboriginal Unionist Fought for His Dues', Sydney Morning Herald (11 February 2011): 20.
