Ruth Hegarty – August 6 2017

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – August 9 2017

An estimated 370 million Indigenous people live in the world, speaking an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and representing 5,000 different cultures across 90 separate countries. This year’s celebration marks the 10th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Ruth is an Aboriginal Elder and author well known for her non-fiction novels documenting her personal history as one of the Stolen Generations. Her first book, Is That You Ruthie?, is based on her experiences in the Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission where she lived from the age of four to the age of 14 when she was sent away to be a domestic servant. Ruth has volunteered on community projects in the areas of youth and aged services for over 30 years. In 1998 she was awarded the Premier’s Award for Queensland Seniors Year for her services to the community. She is a founding member of Koobara Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Resource Centre and was a member of the Queensland Stolen Wages Working Group in the 2007 Senate enquiry into stolen wages. In 2014 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Australian Catholic University. Ruth’s other novels include Jack’s Story: The life and times of a Cherbourg Dormitory Boy: As told to Ruth Hegarty, co-written with Jackie Moffat, Suffer the Children and The Empty Crib. Her other children’s books are Pip and Pim and Strange Friends.

Bittersweet Journey
University of Queensland Press, 2003; ISBN 9780702234149
This sequel to Is That You, Ruthie? relates how, after 22 years in Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission, Ruth journeys towards freedom by marrying Joe Hegarty and moving to a nearby settlement. Originally a camp for displaced Aboriginal families, its system of food rations and shortage of housing and jobs make a difficult start for the young couple. Humour, the support of family and friends, and Ruth’s own resourcefulness prevail, and eventually they achieve the basics of a house for their growing family. The Native Affairs Department continues to affect their lives even when, years later, they move to the city. Ruth’s determination and irrepressible sense of fairness characterise a life vigorously committed to social justice and community causes.

The Creatures of Dryden Gully – Illustrated by Sandi Harrold
Scholastic Australia, 2015; ISBN 9781760151997
3-6 years
Strangers! Special visitors? Joey became very interested. ‘What are they called?’ he asked his Mumma. Mumma whispered, ‘Royals.’ ‘What are we?’ ‘We are Natives,’ she replied softly.
Joey wanted to practice hopping. He wasn’t very good at it yet and he longed to travel all over Dryden Gully, just like the special visitors, newly arrived from a far-off land. The visitors help Joey to learn about being similar, being different and being special.