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Ruth Hegarty

ルース・ヘガーティ

Rūsu Hegatī

Aliases: Ruth Duncan

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1929 （Mitchell, Queensland）
Nationality
Australia
Languages
English
Residence History
Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission

Career

Occupations
author, Aboriginal Elder
Active Years
1998-2010
Affiliations
Koobara Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Resource Centre

Awards

David Unaipon Award
1998
Work: Is That You, Ruthie?
Category: Unpublished Indigenous Writer
Organization: Queensland Premier's Literary Awards
Result: winner
Queensland Greats Awards
2010
Organization: Queensland Government
Result: recipient
Premier's Award for Queensland Seniors Year
1998
Organization: Queensland Government
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Is That You, Ruthie?

1999 non-fiction novel

Her first book, based on her experiences in the Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission where she lived until the age of 14.

Stolen GenerationsAboriginal mission lifechild abuse
Adaptations
  • [play] / Leah Purcell (2023)

Bittersweet Journey

2003 non-fiction novel

The story of her early married life, her dealings with the Native Affairs Department, and her work in community politics and Indigenous organisations.

Indigenous rightscommunity activismfamily life

Bibliography

  • Is That You Ruthie? (1999)
  • Bittersweet journey (2003)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
autobiographical narrativestraightforward prose
Recurring Motifs
forced assimilationfamily separationAboriginal hardships

Legacy

Known for her non-fiction novels documenting her experiences as a member of the Stolen Generations. Aboriginal Elder and community volunteer for over 30 years.

Quotes

  • We got whipped from babyhood - there was no age, you just got it. And this is what we got whipped with [cat o'nine tails]. It was used in the prison at the time, and they were using it on us as children. It isn't any different from a prison - it is exactly like it, except that we weren't inmates; we were children, and we'd done nothing wrong, absolutely nothing wrong at all.
    Source: Taken/Ruth Portrait - Interview with Aunty Ruth Hegarty

Trivia

  • Survivor of the Stolen Generations
  • Lived with her mother in Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission dormitories until age 4, then separated
  • Sent away at age 14 to work as a domestic servant
  • Mother of eight children
  • Member of the Queensland Stolen Wages Working Group