The History of an Adventist Mission to Aboriginals in Australia (2022)

Watson, Brad, ed. Remembering Mona Mona: The Mission in the Rain Forest. Signs, 2022. 326 pp.

“This is an at times confronting historical documentation of the Mona Mona mission.

Operating from 1913 to 1962, Mona Mona Mission was a Seventh-day Adventist institution for Indigenous Australians in the Cairns hinterland in northern Queensland. Although unique both in its affiliation with the Adventist Church and among the church’s institutions, Mona Mona was part of a government system that sought to regulate and control most aspects of the lives of Australia’s First Peoples in that era.

Based on interviews with past Mona Mona residents and staff, along with historical records and research, Remembering Mona Mona brings together contributions from historians and researchers to explore the diverse experiences of Mona Mona’s residents, as well as the intent and struggles of the missionaries, who were usually well-intentioned, chronically under-resourced, and very much a product of their times and beliefs.

Includes a colour 32-page historic photo section.

Writing contributors include: Brad Watson, Lynelda Tippo, Daniel Reynaud, Stephen Piez, Lynnette Lounsbury, Kira-leigh Josey and Samatha Jackson.

Mona Mona elders interview for this book include: Alma May Franks, Clem Riley, Eddie Hastie, Elvina Hunter, Florence Brim, Harry Grogan, Heather Simon, June Callaghan, June Grogan, Mervin Riley, Minnie Maggable, Rose Richards, Sydney Gray, Walter Snider and Winnie Brim.

Includes statement by cover artist George Riley (Jillimablu), descendant of Mona Mona mission resident, about their artwork "Peace Be Still".

Author interview: record.adventistchurch.com”

Description from ABC Australia’s website.