I have just finished reading “The Wonder of little Things” by Vince Copley with Lea McInerney. A first Nations Ngadjuri Elder’s story of his life, of finding kindness in the midst of prejudice and racism and the joy of living life to the full.

He was born on a government mission into poverty in 1936.By the time he was 15 five members of his immediate family had died prematurely, sepsis, TB… He was moved to a home and made lifelong friendships. He worked hard on farms and as labourer and became a football player and then a coach. After that he turned his life to Aboriginal affairs, trying to make things better for his people.

There are some standouts in this book which is written in his voice, plain and simple. His mother’s advice “Always remember you are as good as anybody else.”

The way he dealt with the racism he encountered – he diffused it and carried on with his life. He married a white woman knowing how difficult such a union would be for his children.They could not move freely, work, drink, socialise or be seen in establishments with white people. His mother’s exemption certificate is in the book, the only way they could travel.

This page is a telling testament of what it meant to be Aboriginal at the time and “by reason of their character ….they cease to be an Aborigine for the purposes of the Act.”

There is no bitterness in his story – only a retelling which is genuine and grounded. Doug, a friend and a pioneer of Indigenous football said :

“You can’t play piano without the black and white keys.”

Vince mentions that when he was living in Yorktown he went to coach football three times a week and then had matches on the Saturday. It was the lead up to the referendum 27 May 1967 when Australia voted to say that Aboriginal people should be counted in the census and be seen as proper citizens.More than 90 % voted yes and every state supported this.

On October 14th 2023 we face another referendum. I am holding my breath and hoping for a positive outcome on the Voice.

Meanwhile in Cyprus thugs and right wing fascists targeted migrants and their businesses in the town of Limassol. Will this scourge of racism never leave the planet ?