Alice's Daughter

My story is not about blame. It's about sharing history that belongs to all of Australia. I needed a push, but I am happy to finally give little Rhonda a voice, so that my words will live on after I leave this world. In 1954, aged three, Rhonda Collard-Spratt was taken from her Aboriginal family and placed on Carnarvon Native Mission, Western Australia. Growing up in the white world of chores and aprons, religious teachings and cruel beatings, Rhonda drew strength and healing from her mission brothers and sisters, her art, music and poetry, and her unbreakable bond with the Dreaming. This is the story of Rhondas search for culture and family as she faces violence, racism, foster families, and her fathers death in custody; one of the first deaths investigated as part of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Written in Rhonda's distinctive voice, Alices Daughter is fearless, compelling and intimate reading. Coupled with her vibrant and powerful paintings and poetry, Rhondas is a journey of sadness, humour, resilience and ultimately survival.