Written Entries

The Elder

The white man landed on our shores
Our home it seems to be no more
Our people, the earth, no longer free
Taken from us like fruit from a tree.

Our freedom gone, our spirit stripped
They herd us like animals, our pride torn and ripped
Taken down south were our girls and young ladies
Our boys were taken north, some still only babies.

We can no longer walk the earth as we should
They take us and stole us, we'd run if we could
Not only have they pulled our families apart
They've stolen a generation, a pain buried deep in my heart.

Then hope came one day to aid our plight
'Wyndryne' the warrior chief was ready to fight
The battle against the red coats was fought for five years
Our brave warriors battled our freedom with spears.

Then the battle was over and finally complete
With neither side winning or claiming defeat
It was Civil Liberties we were fighting for
And the black man was acknowledged to their very core.

The pain and the suffering will never decay
But can put some things to rest on National Sorry Day
Gone are the Policies for a white Australia
We can now look forward to a respected political behaviour.

Great men were born like Eddie Mabo and others
To show strengths and courage like no other
They paved a way for our future generation
Who can some how heal our cultural denigration.

So now it is time for Reconciliation
And we can stand together in this great nation
Time will heal the pain of the past
It's time to move forward and live in peace at last.
 
By Debbie Sturt.

Pattie's Poem 

A little girl, I would say around three
Love flows all around her, she has no fear
What a special child who's loved and adored
So much to see and do she would never get bored
Skipping in the dirt, so happy and free
Leaving her footprints for all you to see

A teenager now, things won't ever be the same
Something has happened, who can she blame?
Locked up in her fear, she hides behind masks
Protecting herself is the hardest of tasks
This hurt that's inside, how strange it feels
Where is the love she knows that can heal

Now a young woman, she's running so fast
Covering her pain still left in the past
Oh what a mess, now her world has changed
Knowing that little girl is never the same
So lost, hurt and lonely, she's searching for signs
Climbing up mountains hoping some day she'll find

Stuck in this craziness and feeling so tired
Thoughts in her head, 'is life worth the ride?'
How can she stay when so emotionally drained
Finding her safe place, she's three again
Skipping in the dirt, so happy and free
She has left her footprints, hoping you see.