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White Australia Has A Black History: William Cooper And First Nations Peoples’ Political Activism (First Nations True Stories) Paperback – August 28, 2019
Barbara Miller (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
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But his people could not vote and were not even counted in the census. How could he get the government to listen to him? Would his skills in oratory, letter-writing and organizing his people into the first national black organization achieve his goals or would his activism bring backlash?
Betrayed by the Prime Minister who would not forward his petition to the King of England, Cooper joined with other leaders in Sydney for the 150th anniversary of white settlement and organized a protest called the Day of Mourning. This set in train the controversy that still surrounds Australia Day today. Cooper campaigned for the truth of the black history of white Australia to be told. He mentored future generations of leaders who are still calling for “voice, treaty, truth” today. This book covers the history of the struggle for First Nations peoples’ human rights from settlement to today.
William Cooper was born in 1860 to his tribal mother who saw the first white settlers come to the Murray River. He lost his son Dan in World War 1. Cooper was anguished that Aboriginal soldiers gave their lives for a country that had stolen their land and dignity. He campaigned for a new deal but was it a pipe dream?
Cooper’s health was failing but he had lit a fire that would not be put out. One of those who picked up the baton was his grandson, Alf Turner or Uncle Boydie. Could Uncle Boydie unearth the petition Cooper meant for the King in the 1930’s and find a way to get it to the King’s granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth 11? Poetic justice but a near-impossible task.
Historian Barbara Miller has written a number of riveting books on Australian history and biography and makes history come alive. Miller was a finalist in the Queensland Literary Awards for the Premier’s Award for a Work of State Significance in 2018 for her memoir “White Woman Black Heart: Journey Home to Old Mapoon.”
Click “Buy Now” & discover Australia’s hidden history!- Print length320 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 28, 2019
- Dimensions6 x 0.73 x 9 inches
- ISBN-10064847223X
- ISBN-13978-0648472230
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Editorial Reviews
From the Author
Also, as William Cooper was a pioneer of the Aboriginal movement for human rights in Australia, much of what has happened since his passing has built on the platform he established. This means book No 1 really becomes a history of Indigenous affairs from contact till today. However, William Cooper was not alone. The stories of other key Aboriginal leaders of his time and beyond are also covered.
It is a privilege for me to bring this story to you. As you will see, I became part of the unfolding story and maybe you will too.
About the Author
Her memoir White Woman Black Heart: Journey Home to Old Mapoon, A Memoir was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards in 2018 for the main prize, the Queensland Premier's Award for a Work of State Significance.
Her first book on the Holocaust was the biography called William Cooper, Gentle Warrior: Standing Up for Indigenous Australians and Persecuted Jews in 2012. Cooper was a Christian Aboriginal Australian who, as well as being an activist for his people, led one of the few private protests worldwide against Kristallnacht. He has been honoured at Yad Vashem for that. Barbara is updating the 2012 book into two books with the first - White Australia Has A Black History: First Nations People's Political Activism, just published.
Barbara's own history of activism and her work for Aboriginal organisations such as the North Queensland Land Council which she helped establish in 1975-7 and the Aboriginal Coordinating Council (ACC) of which she was CEO in the 1990s, have given her an insider's view. The ACC was a statutory body representing remote Aboriginal local government councils.
If I Survive: Nazi Germany and the Jews, 100-year-old Lena Goldstein's Miracle Story is Barbara's second book on the Holocaust. This gripping biography of Lena Goldstein is the first in a series called Faces of Eve and has come out of Barbara's long history of involvement with the Jewish community in Australia and Israel.
She wrote an intriguing historical biography in 2014 on European adventurers such as Quiros, Torres and Janszoon who voyaged through the Pacific Islands in the early 1600s looking for a large south land. Barbara followed in 2018 with her memoir, White Woman Black Heart and The Dying Days of Segregation in Australia:Case Study Yarrabah.
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Product details
- Publisher : Barbara Miller Books (August 28, 2019)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 064847223X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0648472230
- Item Weight : 15.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.73 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,004,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Barbara Miller is a pastor, psychologist, sociologist, mediator and teacher. She organises international Christian conferences and is a sought after speaker. Barbara has also been involved in Aboriginal politics and history first-hand for about 50 years working for Aboriginal organizations such as the North Queensland Land Council as a newspaper editor and research officer and the Aboriginal Coordinating Council as CEO. Author of over ten books and part of an Aboriginal family, she brings an insider view to her writing.
Barbara’s first memoir, White Woman Black Heart: Journey Home to Old Mapoon, A Memoir was short-listed in 2018 for the Queensland Literary Award for the major award, the Premier’s Award for a “Work of State Significance.”
Professor Henry Reynolds FAHA FASSA University of Tasmania, eminent historian and award-winning author described Barbara’s writing as “essential reading for anyone interested in political and social change over the last 50 years.”
She lives in Cairns, Australia with her husband Norman and son Michael.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2019
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The author has set forth a monumental production examining injustice perpetrated upon an indigenous people. In her exhaustive examination of the basics upon which the moves were initiated and the manner in which they constantly were re initiated and enforced she has presented a quite scholarly work supported by a large number of references as well as a hundred and ninety pertinent end-notes. Truly a remarkable accomplishment that does indeed show a dark history of disdain for the rights of individuals. It also is a tribute to William Cooper and the many others that attempted to regain not only the aboriginals land but their self-respect. The government’s demonstration of utter disdain is so reminiscent of that of the United States and its rough shod over-ride of the American Indian by their false treaties and promises, and the resulting “Trail of Tears”, the massacres and more. These quite parallel situations bring to mind a most interesting situation extant in each country – a basic and undying pride in their heritage demonstrated by an Australian woman and an American Indian man. Both often have been criticized for their early actions when others were immersed in the struggle for their people. Again simply demonstrating a somewhat similar lack of understanding with little knowledge of a situation and similarly lacking empathy. Isn’t it often said the “Everyone should have a dream to pursue and the more dire one’s circumstances, the greater the need for that dream”? And after the younger age at which they forged ahead with their dreams, both later returned to their roots with pride and proceeded to provide extensive help for their people.
The young Australian woman was Evonne Goolagong, daughter of a locally famous athlete mother who persisted in urging on her daughter, who became one of tennis’ multi-winning champions, including Wimbledon, in the 1970’s – 80’s. The young Indian was Billy Mills, the Oglala Sioux boy who against all odds gained the 1964 Olympic Gold Medal following a dream implanted by a desperate father in the mind of a grieving 8-year-old who had just lost his mother.
Discussion: Thus to reiterate, the author has provided a well-documented, exhaustive history of the manner in which still another group of indigenous people have been severely mistreated. Her extensive research has set forth and examined in detail each abominable act and has provided more than ample supportive data. It is a treasure trove of indisputable fact. The almost overwhelming detail leaves no space for any type of denial. Regrettably however, this makes movement through the material quite slow so readers, other than those interested in the many unacceptable actions perpetrated by governments, may find this to be somewhat of a deterrent to acquiring this fascinating material.
In her brief preface Barbara states, ‘William Cooper was a pioneer of the Aboriginal movement for human rights in Australia and much of what has happened since his passing has built on the platform he established…William Cooper was not alone. The stories of other key Aboriginal leaders of his time are also covered.’ Now this book is Book 1 of Barbara’s duology, this one serves as a history of Indigenous affairs from contact till today.
Extensively researched and presented in a near novel-like manner, the history opens with the birth of William Coop in 1860 and proceeds through his life to his demise in 1941. Barbara makes excellent use of vintage photographs to enhance her fine biography and social document. She traces the first white settlers and the impact they made on the country’s economy and workforce, one of the key forces in Cooper’s commitment to human rights and social justice. Many important characters populate this book, such as the missionary Daniel Matthews among others. Relating the facts with points of background interest keeps the flow of the book alive and vibrant.
There is so much to learn from this extensively annotated epic survey: the history and tensions and abuse of human rights has a clear parallel with situations in other countries, especially in America. We learn, or should learn, from history, and aside from reading this fascinating book for enjoyment, explore the thought patterns and developments as they apply here, today. Or as Barbara summarizes, ‘William Cooper spoke up. William Cooper stood up and was counted. So, should we all in whatever way we can. The price of freedom and justice is high, but the cost of losing it is higher.’ Recommended. Grady Harp, September 19
Top reviews from other countries

This book should be mandatory reading in the Australian school curriculum.