Co-authored with Bob Davis

Healing the Spirit tells of the Non-Indigenous occupation of Birrpai lands which commenced in April 1821 with the landing of Captain Allman and his bulwark of Goories, convicts and soldiers. The Birrpai, who had occupied and cared for these lands since time immemorial, did not simply vanish into the ether. Hence a complex co-existence, that continues to this day, commenced. A co-existence that included open hostilities, mutual co-operation, subjugation, and co-habitation. A co-existence at all times based on inequality and underlined by racism and discrimination. All were implemented through policies and practices of segregation, then assimilation, and more recently self-determination, self-management and reconciliation… all the while ignoring Birrpai sovereignty.

The Birrpai experience mirrored that of all other First Nations across Australia, including the impact of introduced diseases such as smallpox, influenza, venereal diseases and measles. Impact that was further exacerbated by the latent destruction of the environment. An environment intrinsically linked to Goori well-being.