The Mununjali Exemption Man To my Great Grandfather Fred Fogarty

by Lionel Fogarty

Lionel Fogarty

The Department of Family Services and Abos lied to me. My
grandfather came to Purga at "bout 19 or 18 hundreds and
married a Murri woman who gave him sons. In 1922 he was
given exemption certificate from the acts. He came from
Mununjali people who lives in Beaudesert. My grandfather was
gammin and told he was free, but when his son hit the
manager his son was sended to Barambah.
Now my two grandfathers are dead and my parents can't
remember any things they said or done cause in those days it
was hard to tell.
So all I want to know is who was my great-great-great-
grandfather's parents? Now some of these good christians must
have paper records.
You see brothers and sisters I don't need whiteman papers to
prove, but I want it to fight for legal — our land and cultural
heritage rights.
Purga my grandparents help built, now is not ours. Well
look at the mixed up mess.
Oh great grandfather I can't hear your yarning 'bout our
relations Oh great grandfather I have your grandchildren ready
to take up the fight for our land and losted you were taken and
I'm lacking, so why don't we all come together as a family
and re-issue free knowledge. Now my great grandfather was an
aboriginal man dat is divide from me cos the history has
changed camps. But I have moved too, yet I have a marriage
certificate to you great-great-grandfather, and I will find you
waiting in Mununjali Dreaming realities.

From: 
New and Selected Poems





Last updated April 01, 2023