Last Truck Out

by Betty Lockyer

Raised in north Western Australia on the Beagle Bay mission and at the Holy Child Orphanage in Broome during and after World War II, Lockyer shares the moving story of her childhood and those of many others who were forcibly removed from their families. An honest assessment of an upbringing spent under policies urging cultural assimilation, she nonetheless recalls a strong mixture of Australian cultures, traditions, and religion. Told with candor and humor, this memoir captures the universal resilience of children with breathtaking sincerity.

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2010

Reviews

[Kerran Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last Truck Out tells tells Betty's story, from before her birth when her pregnant mother was sent to Beagle Bay Mission, to her teenage years studying in Perth. Much of this autobiography reflects positively on Betty's experiences, and I found out a lot of little details specific to the Broome region which were interesting. Betty does acknowledge that many Aboriginal people did not have experiences as positive as her own, but her approach to telling her story doesn't point any blame, and is above all a story of a child growing up in a changing world, with the influence of two cultures. I really enjoyed hearing about such a tumultuous time in history from Betty's perspective as I felt she told her story clearly and with a lot of love.

[Josie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine. I was a bit bored

[Sara Makeham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great little biography of Betty's life growing up in Broome and the area. An easy read ans humorous retelling of her childhood antics.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simply written but effective memoir of the author’s early life in Broome. Born to an Aboriginal mother and an Asian father, Betty is brought up in an orphanage by nuns and continues her education with them. The book describes the mixture of Aboriginal culture, Catholic religion and government policy which shaped her early years and also provided her with opportunities for an education and advancement.

[Davida · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of an eye opener as to how Aboriginals were treated in the 1950's, shame shame shame Australian government.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thinking this is unlikely to be an average mid-20th century aboriginal childhood, but a good read nevertheless.