Reaching Back

In this book, two generations of Aboriginal people connected with the community of Yarrabah Mission in North Queensland to tell their stories, some going back to the turn of the twentieth century. These accounts, and the many accompanying photographs, vividly depict life in Queensland, first under the Aboriginals Preservation and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act (1897) then the Aboriginals Preservation Protection Act (1939).They recall dormitory and school life, marriage and work at Yarrabah Mission, the struggle for survival during the Great Depression (1929-1932) and the loss of their language and culture.Today, the Aboriginal people of North Queensland are reaching back to their roots. They are trying to regain what they can of their culture and pass on to their children a sense of pride in being Aboriginal.