The first book in the Coloured Sands Trilogy
ISBN:   9781921300981           

 

This is the story of Emily, set in the Central Highlands of Queensland, north of Roma, west of Rockhampton. The historical Saga is in essence a biography of an extraordinary woman's life. The novel begins with Emily's critical awakening-by-crisis, (the revenge massacre of her family) in the late nineteenth century, and ends with the words on her dying breath seventy years later. The story begins with the pioneering couple Mary and George Wilson who show her love. They have a small selection and George works for Richard Parry on Jooloonga Station.   
     
Although struck dumb by trauma, Emily lives happily with the family and their six children.  When Mary takes in a sick native baby, Emily reacts very badly. The public believe the strange, silent child who hides behind Mary Wilson is obviously crazy after witnessing the brutal demise of her family. Two years later, at a public function Emily is disturbingly violent towards a dark servant in her mother's blue dress (clothes were hidden in caves by the wild tribe). Mary fell during the turmoil and died later in childbirth. Emily is blamed. The shock brings her speech back and nobody knows the truth about the dress. It is believed she pushed Mary and is once more deemed The Crazy Orphan.  A kindly policeman saves her from an institution.

 

After Emily is denied a home by her relatives in Sydney (for obtuse reasons to do with a  love triangle), she is adopted by a famous doctor, Dr. David Ferguson and his wife, who prove her sane and more astute than most for her age. She has a privileged lifestyle during her education in Sydney (early 1900's).

 

Aged 17, Emily is taking part in the equestrian events at the Royal Easter Show. She runs into Harold Wilson, eldest son of Mary and George. She is in love for the first time with the gentle giant, too handsome for his own good. After courting Emily for a time, Harold leaves to the relief of Emily's doting adoptive parents. They don't realise how deeply Emily loved Harold nor understand her suffering when she learns of Harold's marriage to the mistress of Wandara Station.

 

Dr. Ferguson takes a partner, Dr. Joseph Parry, one of Jooloonga's heirs. Joseph is in love with Emily; but when his brother Richard Jnr. comes on the scene, Emily is in love again for the first time since Harold. Emily has never conquered her demons concerning dark skin; but she risks all to live in the Outback with Richard. Four weeks before her marriage, after war has been declared, Harold visits briefly before sailing to Gallipoli. Love is rekindled but religion will never allow divorce.

 

Emily believes she loves both men and has no qualms about marrying Richard. Harold is killed in the war six months later.
Emily finds herself in the same part of the country from where she was taken after the tragedies of her childhood – where she was known as The Crazy Orphan.  A dark secret (from her first passionate love affair) is a powerful tool that could shatter the esteemed country family. She takes the secret to her grave.

 

This creative and lyrical novel with twists and turns of the heart plumbs the depths and sings the heights of human endeavour, covering three generations. It captures the heart of a family through the two world wars and the great depression. Three of Jooloonga's sons go to war – Joseph and Richard (1915) and Emily's only son Phillip (1940). 

 

Finally the joining of mixed cultures, (Phillip falls in love with the dark governess Colleen O'Halloran) unravels into an amazingly profound  love story; although Phillip feels he must live a double life. The title, Coloured Sands, is a metaphor for the underlying theme of the whole book: the idea that blending race and background will ultimately create a peaceful society. This is a story that tugs at the heartstrings with an ending to sting your senses.

 

Barbara won an Australia Day Cultural Prize for this novel.

Photo:  Barbara being presented with award by Jeff Seeney MP
                         
Comment at launch - Coloured Sands