Marina Mollenhauer was born in Cherbourg “under the Act” but that didn’t stop her from going back to her country and finding her true links.
- 1897 – Queensland introduced the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the sale of Opium Act. This allowed them complete control over every aspect of our Elders lives, this included the removal from Country to either missions or reserves.
- 1969 – They abolished this act.
I was born in Cherbourg, 1957, under the Act. My mother was Priscilla Sibley, nee Malone. As a child I was adopted by a white family.
In 1984, by sheer chance, I ran into my cousin Patrick Malone who took me straight away to his mum’s (Aunty Maude). That night he turned up with my mother, who sadly passed in 1987.
I approached Link-Up (Qld) while searching for information about my birth father, but I was told it was not possible without a DNA test, which I refused. They still came back with a detailed family tree for my mother’s side, and a name to my grandfather, who was Donnie Moss. They offered a graveside reunion with Donnie, which was not possible earlier due to COVID.
My grandson Glen accompanied me for this reunion. We met Tahj and Lee-Ann at the airport and we flew to Emerald. We settled into the motel and later went out for a meal. We were so happy to be there but really nervous – looking forward to the next day when we drove to Clermont cemetery, the resting place of my grandfather.
He was back on Country and that meant having Glen with me was even more special. A link was formed, then and there, between my grandson, my grandfather and myself.
But we had not finished yet.
We had lunch and travelled to a camp at Black Ridge, where my ancestors rest. It was from this camp that my Elders, along with many others, were removed and incarcerated all over Queensland. My Elders ended up in Cherbourg.
The 1900s in Queensland marked the start of racial segregation under the Act. It was barbaric. We felt disbelief and anger at the way they were treated.
The legacy they left – they survived. And we complain we’ve had it tough – we don’t know tough. Resilience – pain – to stand there with Glen 120 years later, where our ancestors rest. We have returned. We acknowledge Country.
We then travelled back to Emerald. In the local park they had a giant Van Gogh sunflower painting – the ‘largest painting in the world on an easel’. At the end of a footpath we came across two scar trees sunk in concrete. There was no sign to say why they were there. We went into the information centre and found nothing about them. We went back to the motel and had a rest.
Later that night we went out to dinner, and my nephew (Jonathon) Jonna Malone turned up to say hello. He took Glen out, allowing me to deal with all the emotions the day had thrown up. I did not sleep well.
Next morning Jonna took Glen and myself to breakfast, showed us their claim, and explained significant areas and sites. We also visited the weir and a couple of really old scar trees. He dropped us back to the motel where we packed and made our way for the airport to fly back to Brisbane. We said goodbye to Tahj and LeeAnn, and headed home.
When I had been home for a while, about two hours, I played two songs – ‘Dancing Aborigine’ by Angus Rabbit (for Donny and Black Ridge) and ‘Koorie Rose’ by Roger Knox (for my mother).
I want to thank Tahj and Lee-Ann for everything you did for Glen and myself – you were great!
Look at the journey I’ve been on – it’s your turn.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step – Hao Tzu
Published 21 June 2024.