On the 18th May 2024, Roy and Madam Murder (Deb) presented Criminal Outsider at the Federation University library as part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival. It was also the launch of Roy’s 15th book – Crime on Country.
Being an aboriginal man, this book is very close to Roy’s heart. The book articulates the journey on the wrong side of the law by indigenous people on Waddawurrung country.
As the young colony of Victoria moved toward Federation, its laws, gaols and police tried to keep up with the growing demands. Within a 59-year period, a unique environment grew up in the area that has been traditionally owned by the Wadawurrung people, spanning Geelong, Ballarat and outwards from Skipton in the west. Following the 1850’s gold rush, huge numbers of migrant workers from all parts of the world were left behind in the colony, while the First Nations’ people were marginalised into a subclass. The experience of the Aboriginal people on Wadawurrung Country in the 20 years either side of 1900 is a rare period in law, crime and punishment that was unique to the Aboriginal experience at that time
Deb spoke on the historical violence against women documenting three different murder cases where women were victimised and sometimes fought back.
Roy spoke on the Crutchy Push demonstrating their use of crutches who despite being considered disabled, were one of the most ruthless gangs in Melbourne
