Slipped Through the Net – The story of Melrose Desmond Donley

Description

Taken from his mother at the age of six months, Des Donley became a ward of state, in and out of foster homes and then on to a Salvation Army Orphanage. At 15 he was farmed out to a family as virtual slave labour, working from 3.30 in the morning until 9 at night, sleeping in shed with a prickly straw pillow. Only at the age of 18, he ended his isolation, entered the paid workforce, found girls, dancing, music and had a few drinks. He became a union delegate, joined the Communist Party and spent a life fighting for others. The fair skinned Des was in his 60s when he learnt of his Aboriginality. He is still fighting, at the age of 94, for his stolen wages.