^[1] See, for example, Germaine Greer, The Female Eunuch, (London, 1971), and Kate Millett, Sexual Politics, (London, 1971).

^[2] Geza Roheim, Children of the Desert, ed. Werner Muensterberger, (New York, 1974), pp. 232-233.

^[3] Brain, Rites Black and White, (Ringwood, 1980), p. 177. Further support for this observation is provided in R.M. Berndt’s Love Songs of Arnhem Land, (Melbourne, 1976). See, in particular, the Preface (pp. xi-xx) and Chapter One, ‘A Perspective of Aboriginal Sexuality’, pp. 3-15.

^[4] ibid., pp. 144, 146.

^[5] Although Bandler is not an Aborigine, her work merits discussion here because she descends from another dark-skinned Australian minority group, the Pacific Islanders. I am therefore examining Wacvie in the context of Black Australian literature, as defined in the Introduction. Bandler’s second novel, Welou, My Brother, (Adelaide, 1984), traces the same fictionalised episode of history as Wacvie. For this reason, and as it does not add any material relevant to the theme of sex and violence, it has not been included in this discussion.

^[6] Faith Bandler, Wacvie, (Adelaide, 1977), p. 7. All further quotations will be taken from this edition, and page numbers will be included in parentheses in the body of the text, immediately after each citation.

^[7] In fact, in terms of historical accuracy, Bandler’s description of Pacific Islander life in nineteenth century Australia is also completely misleading. See, for example, Patricia Mercer’s review of the book in Aboriginal History, vol. 2, part 2, 1978, pp. 181-182.

^[8] Telephone interview with Faith Bandler, Sydney, July, 1980.

^[9] Colin Johnson, Doctor Wooreddy’s Prescription for Enduring the Ending of the World, (Melbourne, 1983), p. 207. All further quotations will be taken from this edition, and page numbers will be given in parentheses immediately following each citation, in the body of the text.

^[10] Colin Johnson, Wild Cat Falling, (Sydney, 1979), p. 74. All further quotations will be taken from this edition, and page numbers will be included in parentheses immediately following each citation, in the body of the text.

^[11] Colin Johnson, Long Live Sandawara, (Melbourne, 1979), pp. 81-82. All further quotations will be taken from this edition, and page numbers will be included in parentheses immediately after each citation, in the body of the text.

^[12] Blanche d’Alpuget’s review of Long Live Sandawara in 24 Hours, quoted on the back dustcover of Wooreddy, (Melbourne, 1983).

^[13] Personal correspondence with Colin Johnson, 24 August, 1982.

^[14] Personal interview with Colin Johnson, Brisbane, August 1980.

^[15] Personal interview with Colin Johnson, Brisbane, August, 1980.

^[16] Archie Weller, The Day of the Dog, (Melbourne, 1981), p. 44. All further quotations will be taken from this edition, and page numbers will be included in parentheses immediately after each citation, in the body of the text.

^[17] Personal interview with Archie Weller, Perth, February, 1983.