‘Sir Ronald Wilson: A Matter of Conscience’ by Antonio Buti
This is a biography of the late Sir Ronald Wilson, who is well known for his role in the "Bringing Them Home" report (1997). That report remains topical and controversial with findings that are still being contested ten years after its publication.
Orphaned early in life, Wilson left school at fourteen to work as a courthouse messenger in Geraldton, later he moved to Perth and worked in the Crown Law Department. After being a WWII spitfire pilot Wilson returned to the Department eventually to become Crown Prosecutor, Counsel and Solicitor-General in WA. He later was appointed a High Court Justice, Deputy Chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) , Chancellor of Murdoch University, Royal Commissioner into ‘W.A. Inc.’ and President of the Uniting Church of Australia.
People interested in the history of land rights in Australia will be keen to read the discussion of his time on the High Court and how he reached his dissenting positions on Koowarta and Mabo (No1). Wilson was the President of HREOC when the Federal Attorney-General referred the issue of past and present practices of separation of Indigenous children from their families to HREOC. Buti’s book is framed in the context of Wilson’s role in that inquiry; it discusses his approach and the findings published in the ‘Bringing Them Home’ report. The volume talks of Wilson’s conversion like experience during the hearings, when he shifted from an intellectual response to a response from the heart. It also outlines the political storm the report generated and how various people attempted to undermine the report and its findings. Clearly, Wilson could have ended his involvement with the Inquiry when the report was complete; however Wilson kept campaigning on Aboriginal child removal and separation for many years. He saw the recognition and acknowledgement of this part of Australia’s shared history as being critical to the future of Australia. Professor Mick Dodson, who spoke at the Sydney launch of this book said "once you convince Ron Wilson, you can have no one more passionate as an advocate, he gives 120 per cent". This is an important biography given the role that Wilson had nationally in a number of spheres, it demonstrates something of the humor or the man and his intellect. Above all it shows his deep commitment to fellow human beings that arose from his personal faith. Sir Ronald Wilson: A Matter of ConscienceAntonio ButiUWA PRESS 978 0980296 41 9
