Document Library

This document library contains submissions made to the Inquiry. It also contains videos and transcripts of hearings and sessions, and legislation, policies and reports. 

Submissions form part of the records to be preserved by the Queensland State Archives and the State Library of Queensland. 

Submissions

Aunty Lesley Williams

Lesley Williams, a Guwa-Koa woman born in 1946, provides testimony about her life at Cherbourg Aboriginal Settlement and her pioneering campaign for stolen wages justice. Her submissions provide extensive documentary and photographic evidence of the controlled labor system under Queensland's Aboriginal Protection Act and the systematic exploitation of Aboriginal workers.

Aunty Florence Watson

Florence Watson is a Ghunghanghi and Kuku Yalanji woman born at Yarrabah Aboriginal Settlement in north Queensland. In her submission, she shares her family history, experiences under the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897 and her ongoing work in truth-telling and reconciliation.

Aunty Ruth Hegarty

Ruth Hegarty, a 95-year-old Gunggari Elder and author, shares her story through her published works, written statement, and video testimony. She discusses her family’s arrival at Barambah (later Cherbourg) Aboriginal Settlement when she was six months’ old in 1930, her experiences of family separation and dormitory life, and her community work in Brisbane after leaving Cherbourg in 1966.

David Wragge 

David Wragge is a Wakka Wakka man and third-generation member of the Stolen Generations. In these submissions, he shares his experiences of life in the Cherbourg boys' dormitory during the 1960s and1970s. He describes his separation from family, the controlled environment and institutional conditions of living in the dormitory. His testimony explores the impacts of institutional care and his subsequent healing journey through truth-telling and advocacy work.

Jackie Huggins 

Jackie Huggins is a Bidjara and Birri Gubba Juru woman and an historian. In her submission, Jackie shares the story of her mother, Rita, being removed from her Born Country at Carnarvon Gorge to Cherbourg Aboriginal Settlement in the 1920s. Jackie describes generally the separation of families based on skin colour, the harsh conditions of domestic service, and the permit system. Jackie also discusses her own experiences growing up in Brisbane in the 1960s, her mother's activism, and the importance of accessing government records for truth-telling.

Michael Aird 

Michael Aird is an anthropologist, curator, and Research Fellow at the University of Queensland. In his submission, he shares his work documenting Aboriginal people's relationship with photography from the 1860s to present day, including his curation of the "Portraits of Our Elders" and "Transforming Tindale" exhibitions. Through his work with the medium of historical photographs and family stories, he explores what he terms "tactics of survival", referring to the ways in which Aboriginal families navigated government control and intervention while maintaining dignity and identity.

Professor Tracey Bunda 

Tracey Bunda is a Ngugi and Wakka Wakka woman, and Professor of Education. In these submissions, she shares her family's experiences of Queensland's mission system, including her mother's removal to Purga Mission as a child, her father's time at Cherbourg Aboriginal Settlement, and her father’s later service in World War II. Through personal stories and archival documents, she explores themes of surveillance, control, and resistance, while emphasising the importance of education for Aboriginal advancement.

A ceremonial hearing officially opened the Inquiry on 16 September 2024. 

Meanjin (Brisbane) Hearing - A total of seven participants made submissions to the Inquiry during three days of hearings. 

Government session - Leaders of seven agencies were invited to appear before the Inquiry at a truth-telling session to make an oral submission and answer questions. 

Review the links below for more information. 

Ceremonial Hearing

Meanjin (Brisbane) Hearing

Government Session