Mr Opinion,

You are talking to a man who believes the Earth was created about 6,000 years ago. Our runner has never been one to let facts stand in the way of his beliefs. In my experience you'll get used to it, and your dismay at his appalling ignorance will change to amusement.

Hi there JAYB...

It's the 'Townie' blacks that are the problem? Yep you're quite right and as well, wrong. As I opined to JOHN BIG MAC, their difficulties are much more convoluted and entrenched than you and I would ever be able to understand? I was working at the Redfern patrol district years ago, and having performed GD work there for nearly a year, over time I began to develop a very parochial even bigoted attitude towards many of them. Actually over time I thought I'd developed a reasonable handle on what set-off their belligerent attitudes and actions, until I had the opportunity to speak with a formidable lady known as 'Mumma Shirl' a well known aboriginal identity in the area?

Even she herself, admitted she really didn't know how we should structure a meaningful dialogue with many of the 'townies' as you describe them, she was at least conciliatory in her attitude towards us.

Furthermore we had to contend with one, a Mr Gary FOLLY, an intelligent, but fiery radical activists for aboriginal rights, and a very loud vocal opponent of police, telling all who'd listen, they were never to be trusted and would shaft you quicker than you could look! Mr FOLLY was even more aggressive in prosecuting his case than the late Mr Charles PERKINS, if that was at all possible? A case of one foot forward and twenty two back! Ah JAYB, we're dealing with a culture estimated to be at least 10,000 years old?

'Our runner has never been one to let facts stand in the way of his beliefs. In my experience you'll get used to it, and your dismay at his appalling ignorance will change to amusement.

and Mr/Ms Toni is all omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscience. What an honor to be mocked by such as you.

Last year I went to the funeral of a 15 year old Aboriginal girl who had killed herself.

I've known her grandmother for about 25 years, we're old friends now. The death reminded me of a story she told me soon after we met. I'd arrived to pick her up to go to some meeting. She was sorry she said, she couldn't come, she had to look after some grandchildren because their mother was in bad way. No problem, I said. But she was apologetic about inconveniencing me, and wanted to explain. I clearly remember we stood on her green lawn, a beautiful spring morning, flowers in bloom, as she told me her family's story.

Her father had always worked and was from a well-respected family, her mother had about 7 kids, but the family had never got over the loss of one - taken away. The last kids were twins, but only one came home, the other was removed. Why? because the mother had only one arm, the other lost in a childhood gun accident. The family believed the welfare decided she couldn't handle twins even though she had managed all the others and had teenage daughters who could help.

One day (1950s) one of the boys ca 12 went joyriding on another kid's bike. The father took the bike back to its owner. Determined to steer his kid away from crime, he also took the boy to the local police station and asked the policeman to give the boy a stern lecture and a peek at the cells. Instead the cop charged the boy and he ended up in a remand home.

When he got out a few years later he was very disturbed. He believed his sister (my friend) was being abused by her boy friend, got into a fight in her defence, and killed the boyfriend. He went to jail, and committed suicide there. (cont.)

OSW: a Mr Gary FOLLY,

Yes. In fact I think I've had the good fortune to discuss a point or two with him on Facebook recently. Nice Gentleman indeed.

As for Mama Shirl. We had one like her in Townsville too. Lovely Lady, in fact a Dame, Issued in the 60's. She has been immortalized on the Side of the Aboriginal Office in Sturt St in Townsville, opposite the old Railway Station. She did a lot of anti-BS in the Aboriginal Community & kept what she could in line. They used to send the kids to her. I know she used a bit of "Witchdoctory" on the young kids & it worked. ;-)

Alas she has gone from us now. I knew her well & do you know, for the life of me I just can't think of her name offhand.

Ah ha, Lady Evelyn Cole, OBE. Midwife. I think she delivered just about every child in the Burdekin from the early 40's through to the late 70's White kids & all.

(Cont.) These experiences and others continue to affect the family. (I've omitted the experiences of the previous generation who were amongst those rounded up into government reserves in the 1930s.) This didn't happen 200+ years ago, some of the people are still alive today.

Families like this have often had repeated bad experiences with the welfare, health and the legal systems, in spite of their best efforts. The effect is generational - the experiences are remembered and retold. Effectively, these families are suffering from post-traumatic stress.

Why are we surprised that some young Aborigines have no respect for the law or take their own lives? That many take to alcohol and drugs? I am continually surprised that so many of those I know are well-balanced, successful people. No thanks to the white establishment (past, there is some improvement today), but due to their own strength of character. Many work hard to help younger people get on the right track. But it's a hard job to counter the cumulative impact of past events and family tragedies.

I would normally be reluctant to tell a story like this, to protect the family's privacy, but it is already public, with more detail, in the Deaths in Custody report.