Books

Is That You Ruthie?

Booktopia First Nations promotion

Summary

“Is that you …?” Matron’s voice would ring out across the dormitory. In that pause sixty little girls would stop in their tracks, waiting to hear who was in trouble. All too often the name called out would be that of the high spirited dormitory girl Ruthie.

In the Depression years Queensland’s notorious Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission became home to four-year-old Ruth until her late teens when she was sent out to serve as a domestic on a station homestead.

Ruthie is the central character in this lively and candid memoir of institutional life. Her milestones and memories reflect the experiences of many dormitory girls. The strong and lasting bonds that developed between them helped to compensate for the loss of family love and support denied to them by the disruptive removal policy of the day.

An inspiring life story, this remarkable memoir won the prestigious David Unaipon Award in 1998.

In her later released sequel Bittersweet Journey, Ruth recounts, with characteristic humour and honesty, a dormitory girl’s life after the Mission.

Get a copy now from your favourite trusted store

Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through the below links.

Cite this page

Korff, J 2018, Is That You Ruthie?, <https://creativespirits.info/resources/books/is-that-you-ruthie>, retrieved 12 December 2024

Creative Spirits is a starting point for everyone to learn about Aboriginal culture. Please use primary sources for academic work.

Join thousands of Smart Owls who know more!