Cirrus@Austlit

'The author's personal account of his developing consciousness as a white player in the black theatre of Indigenous Australian affairs and in particular his work with FCAATSI. The book is also a tribute to the diverse Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals and groups who dedicated themselves to the cause from 1938 to 1978.' (Source: WorldCat website)

'A biography of Ferguson who fought for citizenship rights and the abolition of the NSW Aborigines Protection Board; Ferguson's work as a shearer and involvement in the Australian Workers Union, assimilation policy and conditions on missions; role of political groups such as the Association for the Protection of Native Races, Australian Aborigines League, Committee for Aboriginal Citizen Rights; Day of Mourning 1938; Australian Labor Party policies; work of William Cooper, John Patten, Pearl Gibbs, Herbert Groves, William Onus, Sir Douglas Nicholls in the fight for citizenship rights.' (Source: On-line)

'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)

Pearl Gibbs who died in Dubbo on 28 April 1983, made Australian history in many ways...'

'Biography of William Ferguson, an Aboriginal man from NSW, who dedicated his life to the cause of Aboriginal advancement, particularly in terms of full citizenship rights and the abolition of the NSW Aborigines Protection Board; also a socio political history of Aboriginal / white relations in NSW for the past sixty years; formation of the Aborigines Protection Association (and its activities) and the NSW Aborigines Protection Board; Ferguson's family history and his childhood, including a brief stay at Warangesda Mission (started by Rev. John Gribble); history of NSW shearing industry, Fergusons employment in it and his involvement in the Australian Workers Union; detailed history of the NSW Aborigines Protection Board, its involvement in the running of reserves; policies toward half castes v. full blood Aborigines and assimilation; the Aborigines Protection Acts; in depth accounts of reserve life, discussing many by name, under Board management; common diseases, poor health facilities, segregated schools, inadequate housing (conditions described) control by local police sergeants, management by husband - wife teams doubling as teacher and nurse, training homes for children and apprenticeship policy, prohibition against liquor, differential wages and payment by shop order, rationing of supplies, lack of welfare benefits; Ferguson's involvement in setting up the Aborigines Progressive Association, detailed account of its activities especially regarding the Protection Board; policies and motions put forth at annual meetings; activities of the Association for the Protection of Native Races, Australian Aborigines League, and the Committee for Aboriginal Citizen Rights, and of other Aborigines and whites who worked in these organisations; Day of Mourning - 1938 Australia Day rally; Select Committee of 1938 to review Board activities; creation of NSW Aborigines Welfare Board to replace the Protection Board, its policies and activities (including exemption certificates, promoting farming on reserves, closing many reserves, improving general conditions); requests for citizenship rights and representation in Parliament; first political manifesto, Aborigines claim citizenship rights, Long range policy for Aborigines put forth to PM Lyons, beginning of Australian Abo Call magazine; State, Federal and ALP policies toward Aborigines; Malgoa Home incident; effects of WWII and political ideologies on Government activities regarding Aborigines; Ferguson's political involvement with William Cooper, John Patten, Pearl Gibbs, Herbert Groves, William Onus, Pastor Sir Douglas Nicholls, and others; his election to the Welfare Board and involvement in its activities; break with the ALP and his unsuccessful bid for a parliamentary seat as an Independent; makes brief reference to the following tribes; Wiradjuri, Koinberi, Wongaibon, Barkenji, Widjabal and Bandjalong in NSW and PItjantjatjara (SA); Appendices include NSW Aborigines Protection Act (1909), Aborigines claim citizenship rights, regulations under Protection Acts, 1915-1940.'