Description of book
'I'd like to tell the story of a patient, Albert Thompson. I met many people like Albert, who was stolen from his family at the age of four and was unable to resolve his loss. One day, I was called to Albert's isolated shack at the end of a bumpy dirt road though a dense rainforest. When I arrived, I found him dead, curled up awkwardly on his stretcher bed, a large envelope marked 'urgent' in his arms. I am sending you a copy of the extraordinary contents. Should I write to his daughters? What would you say to them? What would you do?'
URGENT asks you to step into Albert Thompson's fictional shoes, and imagine life from the point of view of his daughters, who grew up never knowing they had sisters. One daughter did not even know she had an Aboriginal father. With contributions from young indigenous and non-indigenous people, and based on true experiences, URGENT is a powerful account of identity, forgiveness and understanding.
'I have a lot of questions I want to ask these strangers ... my sisters.'
Reviews
'The stories in the book are the same for many of our people. The wider community does not undertstand how the current younger generation have been affected by the recent history of the stolen generation ... This book will help raise awareness of young Aboriginal issues.' Lyn Mcinnes, Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative
'This rich and emotionally moving book captures the struggle for identity, the awful nature of racism and injustice, and the importance of feeling connected to family and community ... It conveys a profound and universal message of understanding and forgiveness.' Associate Professor David Bennett, NSW Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health
'URGENT is hard to put down and is a good story that raises many discussion questions... it gives a better understanding of the experiences of the Aboriginal people. It makes you realise just how much more needs to be done in Australia to break down the barriers of racism.' Beth, 16, YARA website