Good to hear that late last year the Australian government made a small payment to prominent Darwin Aboriginal art gallery identity Shirley Collins as recompense for her involvement in the disastrous Bank of America Down Under Tour of the US in the build up to the Sydney Olympics . It was admitted long ago that Collins had been made the scapegoat for shortcomings in the tour organisation which led to financial ruin for her , damage to her reputation .
The long running battle for some kind of compensation for Ms. Collins , now 80, who did much to promote Aboriginal art , crafts and fashion in America (at the America's Cup ) , in Japan , within Australia, and elsewhere was extensively covered in this blog over the years . British Tory backer Lord McAlpine, who invested in Broome , flew to Darwin in his private jet to see her.
During an airline strike , Lady Renouf , advised to wear fleecy lined underwear because she was to be transported in a cold military aircraft to Darwin , opened a major exhibition for Shirley.
During an airline strike , Lady Renouf , advised to wear fleecy lined underwear because she was to be transported in a cold military aircraft to Darwin , opened a major exhibition for Shirley.
The daughter of a stolen generation woman , Shirley worked in a Chinese softdrink factory in Darwin when she was a teenager and then as a Girl Friday at the Northern Territory News in the old Tin Bank premises . Strong support for her lengthy battle for justice was provided by former Darwin accountant Barry Percival who moved to Queensland. Her life story would make an interesting book.
