ABOUT

INTRODUCTION: John Ley – A unique 1st Edition copy of the book And The Clock Struck Thirteen. Special dedication written by the author. Signed by three Prime Ministers, Dignitaries, and members of the public at the Apology to the Stolen Generations, Parliament House February, 2008. Signed by numerous Australian and international people. 

And The Clock Struck Thirteen tells of the life and thoughts of one of my mentors and guides, Mr. Lewis Yerloburka O’Brien – Kaurna Lawman and language custodian of Adelaide. I had taught Lew’s son, Rodney, at uni and was later working in Whyalla on the biography of Dr Archie Bouno Barton – now deceased, former spokesman and a political leader for the Spinefix people displaced from their traditional land - a place named by Europeans as Maralinga.

I met Uncle Lew in November 2007 soon after Kevin Rudd’s election as Prime Minister. Lew and I discussed the ‘success’ of 13 O’clock and he lamented that the publishers had decided to remainder it (sell the remaining copies cheaply to make shelf space). Lew decided to re-claim and sell the rest of the copies. I offered to help, brought a copy, liked it, and so bought four more with the intention of giving them to ‘significant’ people as a way of promoting it. Lew agreed to sign each copy. The first copy was for Jack Rush, an old friend and senior Melbourne lawyer who had represented Carillo and Gantner in their failed attempt for Stolen Generation compensation. The second copy was for Kevin Rudd, newly elected as Prime Minister of Australia. The third was for Jenny Macklin, newly appointed Minister representing Aboriginal/Indigenous Affairs. 

Lew was a touch puzzled until I explained that I could leave the Rudd and Macklin copies with their gatekeepers at Parliament House next time I visited Canberra. Lew asked who was being gifted with the fourth copy. I didn’t have anyone in mind so left Lew’s place. About one minute’s drive later, I had a brainwave. I returned to Lew’s and explained that I hoped he would take down a dedication and sign the fourth copy. That transcribed dedication reads: 

• To the Federal Parliament and Prime Minister Hoping the new Labour Government can learn from the past And heal the pain in Aboriginal Affairs. Nakkota, Lewis O’Brien. 

Lew was stoked that I called this a ‘boomerang’ copy; I intended it to be left with Macklin’s or Rudd’s gatekeepers to be passed around, signed, and returned to Lew. In so doing the book might ‘acquire value’ and the proceeds, if we decided to sell it, would go to a project of our choosing. 

In February 2008, I had to attend a family funeral in Sydney - the eulogy was delivered by an old friend, Margaret Whitlam. The next day Rudd announced he would be saying Sorry to the Stolen Generations. I spent the last of my money on a bus ticket to Canberra. I had the dedicated and personal copies for Rudd and Macklin in my back-pack at Parliament. After the Official joint sitting, by a series of co-incidences and with a mistaken identity Guest Pass, I ended up at the official VIP function in the Great Hall of Parliamnet House after Rudd’s speech. Margaret was there and, when I showed her the dedication and explained its purpose, she signed it and passed it on to Gough, who signed it and passed it on to Malcolm Fraser who also signed. 

Sensing a fluke possibility, ushered to an advantageous position by the boxer Anthony Mundine, just near the end of speeches to the VIP guests, I was able to ‘surf’ to the front of people crowding towards Rudd. I presented him with his personal copy, which he handed to a minder. The moment he looked back, I held open the boomerang copy and explained its intention. Rudd read the dedication, signed it and immediately handed it to Macklin, instructing her to sign as well. Luckily, I was also able to pass on her personally signed copy. 

For the remainder of the day, well known and everyday people would approach me and, after the story, willingly added their signatures – some entered spontaneous messages. Others I approached were reluctant until they heard the intention and its provenance. 

Since that momentous occasion, I have taken the dedicated copy around Australia on my travels and, when appropriate, showed it to people who sign it. To distinguish them from those actually present at the Apology, these latter people enter their location and the date next to their signature. Some add a message. 

Lew and I have been told the signed copy is ‘priceless’ – it certainly has its own somewhat interesting career by now. It has been suggested that this story and the copy might be interesting for the National Library to put on display, perhaps State Libraries &/or Museums to follow. Whether that becomes a reality remains to be seen. 

In the meantime, we are about to make a documentary about the book’s journey. The documentary will focus on the relationship between an Indigenous custodian and an UNdigenous bloke working together to promote a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures and to create meaningful change by both symbolic and practical actions. 

Making something from nothing is the principle on which our work is based. On that basis Lew and I have only recently (March 2015) agreed on the way the eventual value of the dedicated copy will be used: 

• The rounding (extra cents from $0.07 to $0.10 - i.e. 3 cents in the dollar) will go to a perpetual fund for the next generation of Indigenous people to decide on its use. 
• One half of the proceeds Lew will use to promote the maintainance of Indigenous cultures and language programs. 
• On half of the proceeds will be used to finance and promote Peacefire – a project designed to ignite and inspire the art and practice of peace by individuals and communities.

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"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."