Adventures with Agitators: In conversation with lawyer and author Paul Richards
The RQI Speaker Series
Join Reconciliation Queensland for a presentation by our distinguished guest, lawyer and author of Adventures with Agitators, Paul Richards.
WHEN: Saturday, 27 July 2019 from 1.00 pm until 3.45 pm.
WHERE: Mitchelton Library, 37 Heliopolis Parade, Mitchelton.
RSVP: please email events@rqi.org.au or call Rosalie on 0448 468 618
DOWNLOAD A FLYER: http://bit.ly/RQIspkr0719
Lawyer and Author Paul Richards
In a 50-year legal career pursuing Indigenous civil rights and land rights, and helping to found the Aboriginal legal service, Paul Richards has recently published tribute stories of the resilience, determination, patience and tolerance of the ‘brave agitators’ – the Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders of Queensland – in their many battles for justice.
In a series of short yarns about their battles in the justice and political systems, this book exposes the cruelty and hypocrisy of the ruling elite of Australia in pursuing policies of segregation and marginalisation. While Australia pointed the finger at South Africa, it maintained the same policies for our Indigenous peoples.
The book is not a history, a biography or a legal or anthropological text. It is an easy read for those wanting to understand the recent past. The author has had the advantage of being privy to their tragedies and dramas – as well as their humour and humanity.
The word “agitator” was applied politically and judicially to any of them who sought justice. In a celebrated High Court case involving Percy Neal, Justice Lionel Murphy opined that, without agitators, “there would be no advance towards civilisation”.
These are stories of the adventures of these brave agitators, to share with people of good heart.
An image from Paul Richards’s book ‘Adventures with Agitators’.
About the RQI Speaker Series
Entry to this Reconciliation Queensland ‘Speaker Series’ General Meeting is free – All are most welcome.
Feel free to bring a plate of food or refreshments to our afternoon tea. This is an informal affair, no motions are on the agenda for the gathering.
Donations are always gratefully received to help our volunteer-run organisation deliver these events.
We aim to promote reconciliation while giving members an opportunity to engage with RQI management and important community figures & leading experts.