Not Just Black and White by Lesley and Tammy Williams

A two hour discussion is usually a bit of a sign that a book has engaged members, and that was the case at the Book Club meeting on 6 July.

Not Just Black and White is an autobiography of Lesley Williams, who, as an Indigenous girl growing up on the Cherbourg Reserve, west of Gympie, Qld, was trained as a domestic servant and sent away from her family as a teenager to work on cattle stations at Condamine and Taroom.

Under the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897, Lesley was strictly controlled by white authorities and had little say in where she could work or her conditions. Her hours of work and living conditions varied widely, according to whether her employer treated her fairly (and offered a place to stay in the family homestead) or unfairly (long hours of drudgery, sleeping in a shed, with no protection from abuse from other workers). But more importantly, it was a matter for the employer whether she would be paid any "pocket money". Her wages were deposited as "savings" in a state-owned bank account for which no passport was ever issued to her and which Lesley knew nothing about. Unbeknownst to her, she was one of many Aboriginals who were unpaid for their labour in the same way.

Some of us were not looking forward to reading this book, perhaps fearing a (justified) political tirade, but this book is very much the inspiring, impressive life story of Lesley Williams and her struggle to improve her circumstances and those of her children, against depressing odds.

While you might at times think you are reading The Hand Maid's Tale again, and are astonished to find out this was happening as recently as the 1960s and '70s, Lesley describes both the good and bad of people she has met in her life (black and white), and how much they differed in the way they treated her. She acknowledges the luck she had in eventually finding herself working for a woman in Clayfield, Brisbane, who made her aware of her entitlements, who paid her fairly - in cash - and who grew to be a close, protective friend. As the title suggests, her own mob was not always supportive of her subsequent efforts in raising the issue of the unpaid wages with the Queensland Government. But it is Lesley's own determination and her ability to meet her fears head-on to make a go of it which is the standout heart of this book.

Members were divided about the value Tammy Williams, Lesley's daughter, adds to the book. While we agreed that there wasn't really a "conversation" going on, it is clear that Tammy was inspired by her mother to better herself through education (as were her two brothers) and had a front row seat in Lesley's battle for justice. In turn, through Tammy's own prize-winning writing as a school girl about the need for racial equality - which results in some extraordinary events overseas for both daughter and mother - she becomes an enabler for Lesley to grow in confidence, insight, and in her ability to fight the Government to right the wrongs of the past.

Who are Lesley and Tammy Williams?

Lesley Williams is an Aboriginal woman who is best known for instigating the domestic and international Justice for Aboriginal Workers campaign.

In 2002 this campaign resulted in the Queensland State Government delivering a reparation package of $55.4 million to all Indigenous workers who had their wages withheld by past governments.

In 2003 she was awarded the Centenary Medal for distinguished services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Her daughter, Tammy Williams, was admitted as a barrister in 2002. Her legal career includes Commonwealth prosecutor and appointments to quasi-judicial bodies.

She has been a member of the National Human Rights Consultative Committee and in 2003 was named the Queensland Women Lawyers Association Emergent Lawyer of the Year.

The book, Not Just Black and White, was published in 2015. As an unpublished manuscript it won the 2014 David Unaipon award which is designed to foster emerging Indigenous voices.