Author’s Blog Feb ’26:
Let’s Learn from our past
I was overwhelmed by the response to my last blog (Something to celebrate), calling for us all to learn more about the world’s oldest living culture this Australia Day. My premise was we’d have many more allies to reconciliation simply by opening our eyes and ears and choosing to learn about the most Australian culture of all.
Overwhelmed, because I was unfortunately reminded just how racist some folk are.
My simple hope in writing Diamond of the Desert was to relay a true and complete history of WA in time for the bicentenary, a pathway to reconciliation: ‘Behind every big lie is an even bigger truth, and it is only the truth that can set us free.’
The Diamond is the first fiction story to relay the Aboriginal story alongside that of European colonialism. In doing so, I relied on published articles and letters from the time – not a reinvention of history as some people said, but the actual words of Western Australia’s early pioneers.
Here’s a section from my Author’s Notes to summarise:
“The truth is certainly not one we’ve been told, nor one that many may want to hear. Again, I draw inspiration my dear old ma’s words: “It was the things that weren’t said; the hushed voices when younger people entered the room”. For this is the reality of our upbringing too – things that were never said; lies that were perpetuated through hushed, silent voices.
Some of the early surprise discoveries included the measures designed to protect the original inhabitants. Enlightened Victorian philosophy acknowledged the reality that this was an invasion. So, the British Government had made Aboriginal people instant citizens (not that they wanted it) with all the rights of the British. The WA Constitution even set aside 1% of GDP for Aboriginal advancement (not that it’s ever been acted upon). British policy also constrained the Australian colonies from rapid expansion – perhaps a case of ‘minimising their guilt’ but largely driven by an unshakable belief that the British way was right and proper and that the natives would ‘convert’ soon enough (not that they did).
For the truth of colonisation in the 1830s and 40’s, and the expansion of colonies in the 1850s and beyond is not a pretty one. There were terrible policy decisions that reflected the culture of the day and enabled suppression and injustice: Stirling and Irwin’s decree: They have to fear us before they can love us (a stance even approved in the Supreme Court); the outcomes of policies based on the philosophy that the poor are the cause of their own poverty; along with the alignment of church and state. But perhaps most of all, the simple turning of a blind eye to the brutalities of expanding the settlement after 20 years of constraint in which both law and morality were cast aside, alongside the truth.
Diamond of the Desert contends that this is a history not of British imperialism, but foremost of individuals failing to transcend the culture of their time – failing to use their own judgement of what is right and what is wrong. The policy frameworks allowed and to some extent even encouraged it, sure – but the hardest truth of all is that we can’t blame the British Government.
Maggie’s wisdom summed it up:
“So, it strikes me that now just like then, our troubles are very much the fault of every single one of us who refuses to stand up for and to do what’s right. Every person who knowingly perpetuates inequality.
It is greatly convenient for us to reduce it to a single cause, to point the finger of blame. But the blame isn’t just with the English, not solely, though it suits us to say so. Yes, English policy has shaped, allowed and even aggravated poverty and inequality; but it is the greed and self-interest of every-man that has caused so much suffering.”
Maggie’s Truth – education – provides her with the unique ability to see culture for what it is: a map for collective survival; and a set of constraints on individual freedom and thought. Only Maggie could see beyond the constraints of greed, apathy and indifference that dominated the culture of the day.
That was Maggie’s truth; but there was no greater truth in this book than one line, referring to Richard’s great discovery when he realised unconditional love:
‘If only we could all give such a love.’
Please note that I very deliberately used the word give here, not receive.”