The Circuit (2007–2010): Season 1, Episode 3 - Deeper Water - full transcript
- [Announcer] Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander viewers
are warned that this program
may contain images and sounds
that relate to deceased persons.
- [Narrator] Previously
on The Circuit.
- If you get into
any more trouble,
then you'd better be
prepared to go to Perth,
because you will be going.
- She'll come live with me.
I'll look after her.
- He can't be trusted near
young girls, that's for sure.
- You know that client
of mine, Jack Stallion?
He reckons you know
some of my family.
- So what about
that little girl?
I can't believe you can't just
make a phone call
and reverse this.
- I can't.
- Drew, it's Bella, I
need you to cover for me.
(upbeat Aboriginal music)
(mellow music)
- Youse are saints for coming.
- [Bella] Have the
aunties got her?
- Yeah, she's inside.
- Hello, youse
want a cup of tea?
- Thanks, I'm gonna go see Gina.
- [Woman] All right.
- All right.
- [Milly] Gina.
(knocking on door)
Gina.
- Hello, Gina.
Do you remember me?
Are you okay?
I came up here to make sure
that you're in a safe place,
and to see if I could help you.
If you could talk,
it would be great.
Then I could help get the
Magistrate to help you.
- They're gonna send me
back with him, aren't they?
- Bub, listen, if
we can tell people
what your grandfather
has been doing to you,
he won't ever hurt
you again, I promise.
- But he's gonna be in court.
- He won't touch you, bub.
We won't let him.
He'd be too scared to try.
All right, now,
for us to help you,
we need to know what this
old fellow did to you.
Can you answer that?
- He hurt me.
- You're all right,
my girl, you cry.
- No one looked out for me.
- Maybe your family didn't know.
You know, that's how
these people work.
They make sure it's
all a big secret,
and they scare
you so won't tell.
Isn't that what he did?
- [Harry] Gina, you come out!
Gina, bring her to me now!
- Um, I'll be back in
a minute, okay, Gina?
- [Auntie] You just wait,
and see what we can do!
- The government gave
her to me to look after.
You got no rights, she's mine!
- You get on your way.
This is women's business.
Nothing to do with you.
- Ah, you can't hide
behind women's business.
- You get outta here, you old
sleaze, before we get mean!
- You can't speak
to me like that!
It's nothing to do
with you anyway!
- It is now, you heard
what Auntie said!
This is women's business!
You need to go!
- Look, I just wanna
look after my girl.
Do what the courts told me
I should do, that's all.
If you got a business with
Gina, that's okay, I'll wait.
- Go on, get!
(dramatic music)
- If people are saying
that he abuses kids,
why can't you all believe them?
- We do.
- But we need evidence.
Do you know of anyone else
might've been abused by Harry?
Any talk?
Did he ever try
anything with you?
- No, not like that, but then,
I'm not a little girl, eh?
You get my girl away
from that asshole!
- Well, we've called Family
and Children's Services.
They can make some inquiries,
and then they can move Gina
to a safer place, okay?
- Sam, you know the FNCs.
They might take too long.
Get my aunties to take Gina.
Get her right away
from that place.
- Debbie, that's not gonna help.
They'll be breaking the law.
- My daughter's in a bad
way because of the law.
If he did something bad to her,
I swear, I'll fucking kill him.
Get him to take her.
We can say we did
it cultural way.
It's better than
leaving her with him.
- The women will do what
they think is best for her.
We need to get this bastard,
so anything you know
is gonna help us.
- He put me in here.
That's all I know.
- [Ellie] Your Honor, my client
is asking for a
suspended sentence.
He acknowledges that
what he did was unlawful.
- Today I'm going to deny
an application for a
suspended sentence.
You need to be taught
a lesson, Mr. Morgan.
I sentence you to six
months imprisonment.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- [Officer] Stan Lovett.
- Wonderful.
- (laughs) You should've just
been happy with the stereo.
- [Mr. Morgan] You bastard!
(men grunting)
- Security!
Security, get this
man out of this court
- [Mr. Morgan] No
fucking justice!
- Ellie, are you all right?
- [Ellie] I'm fine, thank you.
(Ellie crying)
- You okay?
- Yes, thanks, Jennie.
(dramatic music)
- Yeah, I've seen that
bastard come through before.
I'm glad he finally got jail.
- How's your eye,
Ellie, you okay?
- Yeah, had worse.
- Lucky shot.
- Ooh, winner,
winner, winner, hey!
- Come on then,
winner, buy me a drink.
- [Archie] Winner, winner.
- [Drew] Did you get
whipped my friend?
- That I did.
No beating him today.
- [Archie] Woo, yeah!
- What's going on?
I've heard rumors.
- That's what's going on.
- Will Bella get in the shit?
- I don't know.
I'm sure Peter will understand.
- Hey, Sammie.
- Good day.
- Hey, I hear an
unnamed community elder
is up for some serious charges.
- You ever leave that shovel
of yours at home, Archie?
- (chuckles) Hey, come
on, Sam, huh, I've heard.
- You know what they
say about rumors, hey?
- Uh, I think it's
more than rumors.
I think you know
that as well as I do.
- What is it I'm
supposed to know?
- Harry Pope.
- What about him?
- Is he going to be charged?
- Who told you this stuff?
- (chuckles) Come on, Sam,
I can't reveal sources.
It's journalistic ethics.
- Well, if you're so
concerned about being ethical,
you be careful with
what you say out loud.
- If this stuff is true,
it's everyone's business.
- We don't know what
the truth is yet.
So I'd hold my
tongue if I were you.
Unless you want some old man
to sue your ass
off for defamation.
- I'm trying to find out
the real story here, Sam.
- Well don't do
it at the expense
of painting all us countrymen
with the same brush!
- Ah, come, come on, hey, Sam!
- Hey, come on, you've
had way too much to drink,
and you talk too much.
- I'm not a child.
- Suit yourself, I'm going home.
- (chuckles) Oh!
- Hey.
- You're back, how is she?
- Safe for now, but
Harry's not happy.
- Well, you know now that Gina
has formally broken
her supervision order
that she'll have to face court.
- Peter needs to understand
why she's been running,
and we need to get her into a
longterm safe house quickly.
How was he, angry?
- I think he's okay with it.
- And you, do I
get a lecture now?
- No lecture.
- But you don't approve.
- Does it make a difference?
Well, there you go.
You want a drink?
- A big one.
- Sam.
(mellow music)
(door thuds)
- [Archie] What's all this?
- It's an idiot trap.
Thought I could catch me one
and turn him into a lover.
- Oh, very funny.
- [Clarry] Forget it, forget
Sam, it's not important.
- It is important, baby.
Fucking important.
- Leave it, Arch,
it's not our problem.
- It's everyone's
fucking problem!
- Sam's right, you find out
some white bloke's
messing with kids,
not every white
man gets labeled.
If it's true, we've
got a problem.
Then like Sam says,
we have to fix it.
- Well if you mob are fixing it,
how come little kids are
still getting abused,
and no one's getting
thrown into prison?
- It takes time.
- You can't go on
protecting elders,
if they're wrong, Clarry!
People like Harry shouldn't be
allowed to hide behind that,
or some bullshit tradition.
I understand that.
- Arch, you don't know my mob.
There's heaps of them
waiting just to cut you down
if you make something
of yourself.
- Don't you see, I
can expose this guy.
Put some pressure on.
- And what if it's bullshit?
All I'm saying
saying is that this
just could be
someone chucking mud.
People make things up
like this all the time.
- So the kids are liars?
- We don't know
who's saying what?
- Where there's smoke,
there's fire, Clarry!
- Where there's smoke,
sometimes there's just smoke!
- Oh, so you don't believe them?
You think kids just
make this stuff up?
Or maybe they're the
ones to blame, huh?
Huh, maybe they want it!
- I'm not saying that.
I'm just saying that it
wouldn't be the first time
someone has made up stuff
like this to stir the pot.
Kids lie about all
sorts of stuff.
(fist thuds)
(dramatic music)
- This is Jim Henderson,
Jim, this is Drew Ellis.
- [Drew] Pleased to meet you.
- Ah, he's here for
that young fella, Floyd.
- Oh, right.
- Yeah, he's a
good kid, you know.
He went all the way
through high school.
- He's the only one
in the community
to finish his schooling.
All the old people are
really proud of him, eh?
- [Jim] He never hurt anyone.
- He's got a weakness
for flash cars.
- So I see, he
stole a firetruck.
- And crashed it into
the tourist center.
- Let me guess, Floyd,
you couldn't help yourself
because it was big
and red and shiny.
Mr. Ellis.
- My client is aware
that he does not have
the best reputation in
this area, Your Honor,
but he is currently attending
rehabilitation sessions
for his problem
with binge drinking,
and his community think
very highly of him,
and they are planning
on making a full
restitution in his name.
- The cost of the
vehicle, Sergeant Temple?
- There was no major damage
to the firetruck, Your Honor,
but it still runs, I
understand, at around $2,000.00.
The damage to the tourist
center is a little more serious,
with estimates of
around $7,000.00.
- Um, Your Honor, we
feel that a jail sentence
will only compound
my clients problem,
and damage the possibility of
him having a positive future.
There's a lot of hope
riding on this young man.
I mean, in his community,
he is considered a
potential leader,
and because of this,
I would ask for a suspended
sentence, Your Honor.
- Mr. Ellis, your client
certainly isn't demonstrating
that he is a leader, either
to me or to his community
by behaving the way he does.
Stand up, Floyd.
What if you'd killed someone?
And what about your community?
They think so highly of you,
they're willing to
pay for your mistakes.
Do you think that's fair?
I think you're a
good lad, Floyd,
but I despair at the fact
that you keep walking
the same line.
You could've killed someone.
You could've killed yourself.
Now, I can't see that
you've left me any option,
but to sentence you to a period
of three months incarceration.
I hope this will have
a positive effect,
and that you'll think
twice next time.
- Peter wanted to
teach him a lesson.
- Some lesson!
- For crying out loud, Sam.
He could have killed someone.
I'm sorry, but three months
is not the end of the world.
- Yeah, always the same.
Young fella trying to mend
his ways can't get a hand up.
(mellow music)
- [Bella] Hey.
- How are you going?
- I've heard from Mom.
- What's going on?
- She found someone who
will talk and backup Gina.
- One of the girls out there?
- Yeah, she used to live
in the community anyway.
Mom's picking her up,
and taking her back to
Jalwarra to see her family.
Then they're gonna get
the cops to come in
and take a statement.
- That's great.
- We're not there
yet, but yeah, it is.
Mom says to tell you lot
she'll be back for her party,
and she expects
to see you there.
- I wouldn't miss
it for the world.
(lively guitar music)
(worker grunts)
(knocking on door)
- Good morning, Peter.
- [Peter] Councillor Pratt.
- Got a minute?
- [Peter] Sure, come in.
- I have a small favor to ask.
- Oh?
- It's a matter of a
drink driving charge.
- Whose?
- Mine actually.
- Well, Ted, I don't see
how I come into this.
- I wondered if the
case could be adjourned
or moved to another court
out of town, so it won't--
- Ted, you don't get
any special favors
just because of your position.
You of all people
should know that.
- When people have been
baying for your blood,
when they're saying your
little mission experiment
should be nipped in the bud,
I'm the one that's
been on your side.
- I appreciate that, Ted.
- It may be a bit more
difficult in the future.
- You do what you have to do.
In the meantime, I've
got a court to run.
- Good morning, is old
Jack Stallion around?
- Is he in trouble, bro?
- No, no, I just wanted
to have a chat with him.
- Oh, he's out bush,
cattle driving.
He won't be back
until that's over.
- Do you know when he took off?
- Oh what, two weeks ago.
- Okay, thank you
very much for that.
Well, you have a good day.
- Good day, Sam.
- Hey, Harry turned up
at the safe house again,
and demanded the
women hand Gina over.
They tried to keep him out,
but he got a bit aggro.
Anyway, Gina ran away again.
She broke into a store,
stole some supplies,
and then nicked a car.
- Did they find her?
- The cops picked her up.
She's back at the safe house
now, but that's her done.
She's broken the
supervision order.
She's got another
two counts of theft.
She's going to found
in court tomorrow.
- Lockhart's gonna send
her to jail for sure.
- Well, maybe she's better off
in detention than with Harry.
- We need to finish up here,
and get on the road
as soon as we can.
Can I get a lift with you?
- Yeah, no worries.
- All right, we're starting.
- [Sam] Hey, did you find
what you were looking for?
- Yeah, I just wanted to follow
up something with Old Jack.
- You want some help?
- [Drew] No.
- Mr. Djana, do you hear me?
Mr. Djana?
- Try flicking through
the channels, Your Honor.
(all chuckling)
(lively guitar music)
(all chuckling)
- Mr. Djana.
(lively guitar music)
(all chuckling)
Mr. Djana.
We're gonna have to
come back to this later.
I'm sorry, Mr. Ellis.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- [Officer] Sally Brown.
- Well, who's next?
- Willy Gavan, tribal
punishment stuff.
- Look, we don't have much time,
so let's go outside where
it's so much quieter.
- They gave me this punishment
for going wrong way
with their sister.
- Wrong way?
- Yeah, wrong skin for him.
- She's like a cousin
but not close up, like.
Anyway, they wanted her
to marry some old fella
she doesn't even love.
She's in love with me.
- The in-laws.
- What do they want?
- An eye for an eye.
They're gonna want Willie to
get justice whitefella way too.
- Well, surely I thought
everyone would be even.
I mean, they flog Willy,
and Willy flogs them.
- They're gonna cause trouble
if this doesn't go
down the right way.
I told them to trust that the
court will give them justice.
- Well, I don't think they're
going to be very disappointed.
- Willy Gavin, is
that your name?
- Yes.
- [Peter] You understand
the charges against you?
- Yes.
- How do you plead?
- Guilty, Your Honor.
- [Peter] Thank
you, take a seat.
- Mr. Gavan allegedly
grabbed an empty bottle,
striking Sadler on
the top of the head.
After Gavan left the creek,
members of the drinking party
carried Sadler back
to the main community
and from there he was taken
to the Newtown Hospital,
where he was immediately placed
in the Intensive Care unit.
There is a record, Your Honor.
- [Peter] Mr. Ellis.
- Your Honor, my client is
remorseful for his actions,
and the fact that Mr.
Sadler is still in hospital.
But Mr. Gavan was reacting to
an unjust tribal punishment
that was conducted two
and a half months prior
to this retaliation
taking place.
- Mr. Ellis, would you
clear up for the court
exactly how the punishment
was carried out.
- Ah, yes, Your Honor.
Mr. Gavan understood
that he was to be speared
as a punishment for his
wrong skin relationship
with the girl involved.
What Willy wasn't expecting was
to be dragged from a vehicle
and set upon by four men.
The four men are
the four brothers
of Mr. Gavan's common law wife.
He was kicked and beaten
before finally delivering
the tribal punishment
of spearing him in the thigh.
He was left on the side
of the road bleeding
and in a bad way.
Now, Your Honor, he had
some serious injuries,
massive blood loss, and
he had three broken ribs.
- So Mr. Ellis, are you saying
that the punishment administered
by Mr. Sadler to Mr. Gavan
directly influenced Mr.
Gavan's beating of Mr. Sadler?
- Ah, yes, Your Honor.
Um, he feels he was
unfairly dealt with,
and the seriousness
of his injuries,
and the fact that
he's not been able
to work since the incident,
coupled with the fact
that he lost the
woman that he loves,
had made him angry
enough to seek revenge.
- Is there anything
else you'd like to add?
- Ah, yes, Your Honor.
If you'd look at
Mr. Gavan's record,
it's notable that he's never
had a history of violence.
For this reason, I
would ask the court
for a lenient
sentence, Your Honor.
- (clears throat)
I feel it's clear
that your client, Mr. Gavan,
has been the victim of
an unfair punishment,
which had a direct link to
the assault that he committed.
That being said, I
don't agree that any man
has the right to take the
law into his own hands.
Mr. Gavan, you delivered
a very severe punishment.
One that could've been
fatal, do you understand?
- Yes, Your Honor.
- However, given the
seriousness of your injuries,
the loss of your
relationship and livelihood,
I think you've suffered enough.
I'm giving you a 12
month suspended sentence.
- Come on!
- Thank you, Your Honor.
Ah, Willy, just
wait down the back.
- [Officer] William Djana!
- Let's try this
one again, shall we?
Hello, Mr. Djana.
Can you hear me?
(crowd chuckling)
- Good luck with
everything, Willy.
- Yep, stay out of trouble.
- So what about the in laws?
Are they gonna be alright?
- Who knows, I told
them they'd get justice
if they came here today.
They're gonna ask why
it seemed to be missing.
- Willy got justice, Sam.
- Willy will get flogged one
night walking down a dark alley
because they reckon
that he didn't get
what was coming to him.
Peter could have given
him a jail sentence
and kept the peace, instead--
- Well, he's not a
mind reader, Sam!
And yeah, he was trying to
be culturally sensitive.
- I'm sick of you
sticking up for him.
- Then stop making
sweeping bloody statements.
- This could be you one day.
You got family out there, Drew.
You get to stop people
from being bloody idiots,
or throwing their lives away,
or maybe it's you one day
getting speared in the leg
for fuckin' something up.
Peter hasn't got a clue.
Now I've gotta be the
sacrificial lamb again.
(lively guitar music)
- What happened, Sam?
- He should be in fuckin' jail.
- Still all right for
me to catch a ride?
- Won't be long.
- You all right?
- I don't get it.
Anyone else, you would have
chucked the book at him.
Why this one?
You could have kept the peace.
- With whom?
- The family of the
beaten man, Sadler.
- It was my understanding you
were defending Willy Gavan,
you and Drew, and you did well.
I thought that's
what you wanted.
- You also knew that
there was an expectation
that he should have been given
some sort of
whitefella punishment.
- And how would I know
that, Sam, telepathy?
Was there a memo I missed?
I mean, please, enlighten me.
- I don't understand
how you can hand out
a jail sentence to a kid
who has his whole
future ahead of him,
and then you let a man
who attacked someone
with a bottle walk.
- I take offense at that, Sam.
I judge each case on its merits.
Now, you may not like the
decisions, but they stand.
- You've got no idea, do ya?
Why don't you get down
in the dirt, Peter,
and see what the
real issues are,
what really goes on.
- What the hell do you
want me to do, Sam?
I'm supposedly too hard on a
kid, you jump down my throat.
I give a guy a
break, I'm too soft.
I can't seem to win
with you people.
- You people?
What, us blackfellas?
- Sam, I didn't mean that.
Sam.
Mind if I join you?
(light guitar music)
- Rough day?
- I said a terrible thing.
I told Sam there was no
winning with you people.
(Ellie laughs)
It's not funny, it's not.
- You don't believe
Aboriginal people refer to us
as you people sometimes, Peter?
- That's not the point.
- Do you believe that
Aboriginal people
are different from you and I?
- No, I--
- No, no, no, don't give me
this politically
correct line, do you?
- Yes, yes, I do.
- And do you believe, you
know, deep in your heart
that you are better
than they are?
- No.
- [Ellie] You sure?
- Of course I'm sure.
Then you're not a
racist (chuckles).
You know, I've known blackfellas
who were in every
way superior to me,
and some that weren't.
And French and
Chinese and African.
Oh, it's got nothing to do
with where they come from
or what they look like.
The only person
who can say that,
you know, you're
doing all you can,
you're living up to who
you should be is you.
Not Sam, not me.
- I placed a child in the
hands of a potential abuser.
- Based on your best judgment.
No one's going to
blame you, Peter.
You weren't to know.
- I can't even undo it.
- From what I hear,
people are working on it.
Do you think it's true?
- I find it very
hard to reconcile
that Harry would do
something like that,
but if it's true,
I'm responsible.
- You have to work with the
information you have, Peter,
and the information you had
said it was a good idea.
- Here endeth the lesson.
- Yep, you got it (chuckles).
You're all right.
Have another drink.
(mellow music)
- [Bella] Is she here now?
- Yes, she is.
She gave them a bloody
good run for their money.
- Can we speak to her?
We need to know some
things before tomorrow
so we can help her out.
- Come in and I'll check to
see if she's okay with it.
- [Bella] Okay.
- Gina, got the
people here from ALS.
Is it okay now to speak to them?
Yeah, come through, it's okay.
Here we go.
People, this is Gina.
Gina, you remember
Bella, Drew and Sam, eh?
- Gina, remember I told you
I was going to get Sam
and Drew to help you?
Well, they need to
ask some questions,
so they can do that, okay?
- We need you to
know that we're here
because we care about you
and what has happened,
and what we need is for
you to help us first,
and then we an help you, okay?
Would you prefer to talk
to Bella and Milly alone?
- Is the judge
gonna send me away?
- [Bella] We're gonna try
to not let that happen.
- But I wanna go.
I took that car so
they'd send me to Perth.
- We can stop him if you
help us send him to jail.
If you can tell us
what he did, Gina.
All right, Gina.
(melancholy music)
That girl, Drew, you
should have seen her.
She, she's so torn.
- Yeah well, we're
going to do everything
that we possibly can
to help her, okay?
And I promise you, we'll
find a way through this.
- She's such a
little girl, Drew.
She could be my girl.
She could be Savvy.
(melancholy music)
- [Rose] Interrupting?
- Did you find the girl?
- She's talking to her family,
and this time she's really
gonna make a statement.
- That's great.
- [Rose] She wants
to talk to you too.
- He hurt me when
I was about nine.
He used to come over and visit,
bring Mom and Dad drinks and
when they were passed out,
well, that's when he
did it the first time.
He told me that
if I told anyone,
he'd have to kill
them and then me.
So um, I was terrified.
I was silent all these years.
- Did you ever think
about going to the police?
- Hey, I was a little
girl, I was nine.
I didn't think anyone
would believe me
by the time I wanted
to say something.
(melancholy music)
I did a lot of stupid things.
I was hurting.
I didn't know how
to deal with it,
and then you get
labeled and it stinks.
Eventually I left my community.
- Away from your family.
- I couldn't stay with them
and not be in Harry's way.
- But now you're willing
to make a statement
against Harry Pope.
Do your family know?
- I wanna help Gina, you know?
I wanna give her some hope,
so she can come out
and speak strong.
(dramatic music)
- It's you lot that made her
leave in the first place.
Go on, get.
You lot gonna feel
the back of my hand.
- Come and get it, old man!
- Hey you lot!
Haven't you got anything
better to do with your time?
- What the fuck do
you know about law?
- I said move on.
- Yeah, whatcha
gonna do about it?
- I'm gonna press charges.
That's what I'm
gonna do about it.
Now move on!
- Yeah, whatever (spits)!
- Hey, move on or I
will press charges!
- [Uncle Jacob] Thank
you, young fella.
- Are you okay?
- This is why I
left my community.
- Look, I know it's hard,
but you're the only hope
that Gina has right now.
(dramatic music)
- (whistles) Oi.
What are you doing?
- Well, I'm the early bird.
Here to catch me a worm.
- Leave it, Archie.
Look, if you go ahead
and expose this story
before justice is served,
then someone's gonna get hurt.
- This story needs
to come out, Sam.
- Yeah, but not yet.
You know those two old girls
you were just collecting
information from?
- They were helpful.
- They're related to Harry.
- Oh come on, Sam.
I don't think they'd use
me to get information.
- Wanna bet?
(dramatic music)
- Peter.
Good day.
- Yes, it is.
- You gonna have my girl,
Gina, up in court today.
- Yes
- Now listen to me, brother.
I know that last time it caused
problems with your lawyers,
me sitting in.
But I want to be there
to support little Gina.
Make sure everything
goes right, understand?
So I thought it would be best
if I didn't sit with you today.
I'll sit up the back.
Make things easier.
Besides, I've got family
I've gotta support.
- I think that's a good
idea, Harry, thank you.
- Okay, no worries.
I'll catch ya then.
Hey, we gotta go
fishing again soon, eh?
- Maybe next trip, okay?
We haven't done that
for awhile, mate.
(dramatic music)
- Gina, I just want you to know
that there is
another young woman
who is going to make
a statement as well.
She told us that
she wants to do it,
because she wants
to help you, okay?
- Bub, you know we'll
stand right by you, right?
- I think the best thing for us
is to ask that your
case be remanded over.
But what I want you to do
is to plead not guilty.
- No, I wanna go to Perth.
- Gina, you don't wanna get
stuck in a detention center.
It's not a good place.
- But I wanna go.
He'll find me anywhere else.
- No, that's not
gonna happen, darling.
- I'll run away.
I'll keep running.
- Well, the police are
taking Ramone's statement
at the court, but
she's a bit shaky.
Surely there's something
we can do to help Gina.
- When are Family and
Children's Services arriving?
- Well, somebody's been slated
to be here today or tomorrow.
- Well just ask me to
remand the case over.
By the time it comes up again,
Gina will be in a safer place.
- Remanding it over
is not gonna work.
Gina's gonna do
something stupid.
She wants to go to prison.
She remembers you telling her
that if she came back here
that she'd be sent away.
Now that's an escape for her.
She says if she
comes to court today
and you don't put her away,
she's gonna run away.
Can't you overturn
the supervision order?
- On what grounds?
- On the grounds that her
grandfather is abusing her!
- Not without her
making a statement, no.
- Ramone's making a statement.
Can't we admit that?
- It's inadmissible.
It relates to another
person and another case.
- Well, there's gotta
be something we can use.
I have to be able
to plead mitigating
circumstances for her.
- Not by mentioning
Harry, or the allegations.
- Well sending her to
juvie's not the answer.
- [Peter] Yes, I know that.
- Well then help us!
- We shouldn't even be
having this conversation
and you know that.
Just follow due process.
(dramatic music)
- [Officer] The court
calls Gina Pope.
- Don't look at anybody else
except me and the judge, okay?
You keep your eyes facing
to the front, all right.
- Is your name Gina Pope?
- Yes.
- [Peter] How are you, Gina?
- Okay.
- [Peter] Do you
know why you're here?
Do you understand the
charges against you?
- Yes.
- [Peter] Are you
guilty or not guilty?
- Guilty.
- It is further alleged
that she then broke
into a car and stole it,
the keys having been
left inside by the owner.
Ms. Pope then drove
the car towards town,
where she was apprehended
by a member of the
community police.
She was returned to the care
of a warden awaiting
her hearing.
- Is that what happened, Gina?
- Yes.
- [Peter] Mr. Ellis.
- Your Honor, the circumstances
leading up to my client
going on this crime spree
are a direct link to what has
occurred here in recent weeks.
Gina's parents are both in jail.
Therefore, she has been
pulled from pillar to post.
Hardly the kind of environment
to promote stability.
Her placement with her aunties
initially was a failure
and her current placement seems
to be the same for reasons
that I am unable to
present here except to say
that it is not healthy or safe.
- I must caution you, Mr. Ellis.
- The situation is far
from ideal, Your Honor.
My client felt that she
would rather be elsewhere.
Consequently, she
planned an escape.
- [Peter] And where
was your client going?
- She was heading into town
to visit other family members
where she believed that she
would be in a safer environment,
and closer to and thus
able to visit her mother.
Gina believed that there was
no other course of action.
- [Peter] Theft and
breaking into premises
causing damage is not something
which can be taken
lightly, Mr. Ellis.
Nor is having my
supervision orders ignored.
- Your Honor, I'm
not excusing it,
but at the time of the offense
my client did not and
could not see a way
that would help her get
her to her destination,
but to walk or to
steal a vehicle.
And in order to do so,
she needed food supplies
to sustain herself.
Thus was her need to feel safe.
- Well, Gina, that
is quite a plan.
Were you really so
unhappy where I placed you
that you needed to do
all this to run away
and get yourself
into more trouble?
- Yes.
- But don't you remember
what I said to you last time.
That the next time
you came in here,
I would have to
send you to Perth.
Didn't that worry you?
- No.
- Gina, can you tell me why
you were so unhappy
where I placed you?
(dramatic music)
- If you tell the Magistrate,
then he can help you.
Come on, Gina.
- Listen to me, Gina,
you're not going to get into
trouble for telling the truth.
In fact, it may
help us understand
why you behave the way you do.
It's very sad when
families are torn apart.
The prospect of
breaking up a family
is not something
which I endorse.
I know young girls
can be a handful
for their carers sometimes,
especially when placed in the
care of older grandparents.
Stand up please, Gina.
I feel I have no choice
but to send you to Perth
for the period of one month.
(crowd gasps)
Gina, come closer please.
During that time,
Family and Children's Services
will work to find you a
more appropriate placement
when you're released, okay?
Gina, and it would be good
if you could speak to someone
about what's making
you so unhappy.
You take care, thank you.
(crowd chattering)
- Got your story?
(crowd chattering)
- Ramone, are you
feeling any better?
- It's weird being back here.
There are days like this
when it comes down on
you like a ton of bricks.
- Yeah, I think Gina just
had one of those days.
- But you got her
away from him, eh?
- Yeah, but it meant we had
to take her away from family,
and I mean, how do you measure
that and say one is better?
So, are you ready to
make your statement?
We can run through it
right now if you like.
- It's all right for me.
I, I get to leave again.
What about my family?
Things are gonna get worse
before they get better.
Last time I looked,
Harry Pope was still
walking around,
and smiling up he goes.
- Yeah, and he's just gonna
keep doing it, you know,
until someone like you
stands up to him, Ramone.
- We don't wanna put
the pressure on you,
but if one little
girl can break the law
to stand up to Harry Pope,
that should give
you some hope, eh?
She needs you to
come forward too.
- No, I gotta think
about my family.
(dramatic music)
- Do you have to go?
- I won't stay long.
Come on, I promise.
I'll say hello and
come straight home.
Harry will get done one
way or another, baby.
Just gotta be patient.
(Archie scoffs)
- I think I've run
out of patience.
You'd better go.
You'll be late.
- Come on, get up.
- Why?
- [Clarry] We got
a party to go to.
- What about your Dad?
What's he gonna say?
- [Clarry] Let him deal with it.
(Archie chuckles)
(guests chattering)
(lively music)
♪ I can picture your
face in a storm cloud ♪
♪ Thunder make you grin ♪
- Dad.
- Didn't think you were coming.
- I wouldn't miss it.
Dad, you know my friend Archie.
- You want a beer?
- Big family, what, all
of this is Bella's people?
- Ah, this is only half
of them on her mom's side.
Wait till you see
her Dad's side.
And then there's the
extended mob, skin rellies.
- Okay, I get the idea.
- Nice to be in a big family
when they're like this one.
Hey, what I said the other day,
about you ending up like
me when you found your mob?
I didn't mean that.
- No, you're right.
It's too much.
I mean, look at what happened
at the mish, at Jalwarra.
- You can't judge
everyone that way.
This is how family
should be, Drew.
This is what could be
waiting for you out there.
- [Bella] How's my
two favorite guys?
- Good.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- A toast.
- To Mom!
- To Mom!
- You guys talking about me?
- Yep.
- [Rose] Good.
- Hey, excuse me, my peoples.
Now we all know what
we're here for tonight.
The big 60 years for my Mom.
(guest cheering and applauding)
So I'd like to propose
a toast to my Mom,
my favorite girl in the world,
and to my Dad, who's
not with us anymore,
but if he was here,
I know he would serenade
you with this love song.
He used to sing it to you
when the luggers pulled out
to bring him home safely to
you and his young family.
(speaking in
Aboriginal language)
(singing in Aboriginal language)
♪ And when I'm gone
forget not me ♪
♪ Soon I'll come back to you ♪
♪ From the Arafura sea ♪
♪ Soon I'll come back to you ♪
♪ From the Arafura sea ♪
(guests cheering and applauding)
(lively music)
♪ I can picture your
face in a storm cloud ♪
♪ Thunder make you grin ♪
♪ Lightening lights
up your eyes ♪
♪ Really, really make you spin ♪
(lively music)
Torres Strait Islander viewers
are warned that this program
may contain images and sounds
that relate to deceased persons.
- [Narrator] Previously
on The Circuit.
- If you get into
any more trouble,
then you'd better be
prepared to go to Perth,
because you will be going.
- She'll come live with me.
I'll look after her.
- He can't be trusted near
young girls, that's for sure.
- You know that client
of mine, Jack Stallion?
He reckons you know
some of my family.
- So what about
that little girl?
I can't believe you can't just
make a phone call
and reverse this.
- I can't.
- Drew, it's Bella, I
need you to cover for me.
(upbeat Aboriginal music)
(mellow music)
- Youse are saints for coming.
- [Bella] Have the
aunties got her?
- Yeah, she's inside.
- Hello, youse
want a cup of tea?
- Thanks, I'm gonna go see Gina.
- [Woman] All right.
- All right.
- [Milly] Gina.
(knocking on door)
Gina.
- Hello, Gina.
Do you remember me?
Are you okay?
I came up here to make sure
that you're in a safe place,
and to see if I could help you.
If you could talk,
it would be great.
Then I could help get the
Magistrate to help you.
- They're gonna send me
back with him, aren't they?
- Bub, listen, if
we can tell people
what your grandfather
has been doing to you,
he won't ever hurt
you again, I promise.
- But he's gonna be in court.
- He won't touch you, bub.
We won't let him.
He'd be too scared to try.
All right, now,
for us to help you,
we need to know what this
old fellow did to you.
Can you answer that?
- He hurt me.
- You're all right,
my girl, you cry.
- No one looked out for me.
- Maybe your family didn't know.
You know, that's how
these people work.
They make sure it's
all a big secret,
and they scare
you so won't tell.
Isn't that what he did?
- [Harry] Gina, you come out!
Gina, bring her to me now!
- Um, I'll be back in
a minute, okay, Gina?
- [Auntie] You just wait,
and see what we can do!
- The government gave
her to me to look after.
You got no rights, she's mine!
- You get on your way.
This is women's business.
Nothing to do with you.
- Ah, you can't hide
behind women's business.
- You get outta here, you old
sleaze, before we get mean!
- You can't speak
to me like that!
It's nothing to do
with you anyway!
- It is now, you heard
what Auntie said!
This is women's business!
You need to go!
- Look, I just wanna
look after my girl.
Do what the courts told me
I should do, that's all.
If you got a business with
Gina, that's okay, I'll wait.
- Go on, get!
(dramatic music)
- If people are saying
that he abuses kids,
why can't you all believe them?
- We do.
- But we need evidence.
Do you know of anyone else
might've been abused by Harry?
Any talk?
Did he ever try
anything with you?
- No, not like that, but then,
I'm not a little girl, eh?
You get my girl away
from that asshole!
- Well, we've called Family
and Children's Services.
They can make some inquiries,
and then they can move Gina
to a safer place, okay?
- Sam, you know the FNCs.
They might take too long.
Get my aunties to take Gina.
Get her right away
from that place.
- Debbie, that's not gonna help.
They'll be breaking the law.
- My daughter's in a bad
way because of the law.
If he did something bad to her,
I swear, I'll fucking kill him.
Get him to take her.
We can say we did
it cultural way.
It's better than
leaving her with him.
- The women will do what
they think is best for her.
We need to get this bastard,
so anything you know
is gonna help us.
- He put me in here.
That's all I know.
- [Ellie] Your Honor, my client
is asking for a
suspended sentence.
He acknowledges that
what he did was unlawful.
- Today I'm going to deny
an application for a
suspended sentence.
You need to be taught
a lesson, Mr. Morgan.
I sentence you to six
months imprisonment.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- [Officer] Stan Lovett.
- Wonderful.
- (laughs) You should've just
been happy with the stereo.
- [Mr. Morgan] You bastard!
(men grunting)
- Security!
Security, get this
man out of this court
- [Mr. Morgan] No
fucking justice!
- Ellie, are you all right?
- [Ellie] I'm fine, thank you.
(Ellie crying)
- You okay?
- Yes, thanks, Jennie.
(dramatic music)
- Yeah, I've seen that
bastard come through before.
I'm glad he finally got jail.
- How's your eye,
Ellie, you okay?
- Yeah, had worse.
- Lucky shot.
- Ooh, winner,
winner, winner, hey!
- Come on then,
winner, buy me a drink.
- [Archie] Winner, winner.
- [Drew] Did you get
whipped my friend?
- That I did.
No beating him today.
- [Archie] Woo, yeah!
- What's going on?
I've heard rumors.
- That's what's going on.
- Will Bella get in the shit?
- I don't know.
I'm sure Peter will understand.
- Hey, Sammie.
- Good day.
- Hey, I hear an
unnamed community elder
is up for some serious charges.
- You ever leave that shovel
of yours at home, Archie?
- (chuckles) Hey, come
on, Sam, huh, I've heard.
- You know what they
say about rumors, hey?
- Uh, I think it's
more than rumors.
I think you know
that as well as I do.
- What is it I'm
supposed to know?
- Harry Pope.
- What about him?
- Is he going to be charged?
- Who told you this stuff?
- (chuckles) Come on, Sam,
I can't reveal sources.
It's journalistic ethics.
- Well, if you're so
concerned about being ethical,
you be careful with
what you say out loud.
- If this stuff is true,
it's everyone's business.
- We don't know what
the truth is yet.
So I'd hold my
tongue if I were you.
Unless you want some old man
to sue your ass
off for defamation.
- I'm trying to find out
the real story here, Sam.
- Well don't do
it at the expense
of painting all us countrymen
with the same brush!
- Ah, come, come on, hey, Sam!
- Hey, come on, you've
had way too much to drink,
and you talk too much.
- I'm not a child.
- Suit yourself, I'm going home.
- (chuckles) Oh!
- Hey.
- You're back, how is she?
- Safe for now, but
Harry's not happy.
- Well, you know now that Gina
has formally broken
her supervision order
that she'll have to face court.
- Peter needs to understand
why she's been running,
and we need to get her into a
longterm safe house quickly.
How was he, angry?
- I think he's okay with it.
- And you, do I
get a lecture now?
- No lecture.
- But you don't approve.
- Does it make a difference?
Well, there you go.
You want a drink?
- A big one.
- Sam.
(mellow music)
(door thuds)
- [Archie] What's all this?
- It's an idiot trap.
Thought I could catch me one
and turn him into a lover.
- Oh, very funny.
- [Clarry] Forget it, forget
Sam, it's not important.
- It is important, baby.
Fucking important.
- Leave it, Arch,
it's not our problem.
- It's everyone's
fucking problem!
- Sam's right, you find out
some white bloke's
messing with kids,
not every white
man gets labeled.
If it's true, we've
got a problem.
Then like Sam says,
we have to fix it.
- Well if you mob are fixing it,
how come little kids are
still getting abused,
and no one's getting
thrown into prison?
- It takes time.
- You can't go on
protecting elders,
if they're wrong, Clarry!
People like Harry shouldn't be
allowed to hide behind that,
or some bullshit tradition.
I understand that.
- Arch, you don't know my mob.
There's heaps of them
waiting just to cut you down
if you make something
of yourself.
- Don't you see, I
can expose this guy.
Put some pressure on.
- And what if it's bullshit?
All I'm saying
saying is that this
just could be
someone chucking mud.
People make things up
like this all the time.
- So the kids are liars?
- We don't know
who's saying what?
- Where there's smoke,
there's fire, Clarry!
- Where there's smoke,
sometimes there's just smoke!
- Oh, so you don't believe them?
You think kids just
make this stuff up?
Or maybe they're the
ones to blame, huh?
Huh, maybe they want it!
- I'm not saying that.
I'm just saying that it
wouldn't be the first time
someone has made up stuff
like this to stir the pot.
Kids lie about all
sorts of stuff.
(fist thuds)
(dramatic music)
- This is Jim Henderson,
Jim, this is Drew Ellis.
- [Drew] Pleased to meet you.
- Ah, he's here for
that young fella, Floyd.
- Oh, right.
- Yeah, he's a
good kid, you know.
He went all the way
through high school.
- He's the only one
in the community
to finish his schooling.
All the old people are
really proud of him, eh?
- [Jim] He never hurt anyone.
- He's got a weakness
for flash cars.
- So I see, he
stole a firetruck.
- And crashed it into
the tourist center.
- Let me guess, Floyd,
you couldn't help yourself
because it was big
and red and shiny.
Mr. Ellis.
- My client is aware
that he does not have
the best reputation in
this area, Your Honor,
but he is currently attending
rehabilitation sessions
for his problem
with binge drinking,
and his community think
very highly of him,
and they are planning
on making a full
restitution in his name.
- The cost of the
vehicle, Sergeant Temple?
- There was no major damage
to the firetruck, Your Honor,
but it still runs, I
understand, at around $2,000.00.
The damage to the tourist
center is a little more serious,
with estimates of
around $7,000.00.
- Um, Your Honor, we
feel that a jail sentence
will only compound
my clients problem,
and damage the possibility of
him having a positive future.
There's a lot of hope
riding on this young man.
I mean, in his community,
he is considered a
potential leader,
and because of this,
I would ask for a suspended
sentence, Your Honor.
- Mr. Ellis, your client
certainly isn't demonstrating
that he is a leader, either
to me or to his community
by behaving the way he does.
Stand up, Floyd.
What if you'd killed someone?
And what about your community?
They think so highly of you,
they're willing to
pay for your mistakes.
Do you think that's fair?
I think you're a
good lad, Floyd,
but I despair at the fact
that you keep walking
the same line.
You could've killed someone.
You could've killed yourself.
Now, I can't see that
you've left me any option,
but to sentence you to a period
of three months incarceration.
I hope this will have
a positive effect,
and that you'll think
twice next time.
- Peter wanted to
teach him a lesson.
- Some lesson!
- For crying out loud, Sam.
He could have killed someone.
I'm sorry, but three months
is not the end of the world.
- Yeah, always the same.
Young fella trying to mend
his ways can't get a hand up.
(mellow music)
- [Bella] Hey.
- How are you going?
- I've heard from Mom.
- What's going on?
- She found someone who
will talk and backup Gina.
- One of the girls out there?
- Yeah, she used to live
in the community anyway.
Mom's picking her up,
and taking her back to
Jalwarra to see her family.
Then they're gonna get
the cops to come in
and take a statement.
- That's great.
- We're not there
yet, but yeah, it is.
Mom says to tell you lot
she'll be back for her party,
and she expects
to see you there.
- I wouldn't miss
it for the world.
(lively guitar music)
(worker grunts)
(knocking on door)
- Good morning, Peter.
- [Peter] Councillor Pratt.
- Got a minute?
- [Peter] Sure, come in.
- I have a small favor to ask.
- Oh?
- It's a matter of a
drink driving charge.
- Whose?
- Mine actually.
- Well, Ted, I don't see
how I come into this.
- I wondered if the
case could be adjourned
or moved to another court
out of town, so it won't--
- Ted, you don't get
any special favors
just because of your position.
You of all people
should know that.
- When people have been
baying for your blood,
when they're saying your
little mission experiment
should be nipped in the bud,
I'm the one that's
been on your side.
- I appreciate that, Ted.
- It may be a bit more
difficult in the future.
- You do what you have to do.
In the meantime, I've
got a court to run.
- Good morning, is old
Jack Stallion around?
- Is he in trouble, bro?
- No, no, I just wanted
to have a chat with him.
- Oh, he's out bush,
cattle driving.
He won't be back
until that's over.
- Do you know when he took off?
- Oh what, two weeks ago.
- Okay, thank you
very much for that.
Well, you have a good day.
- Good day, Sam.
- Hey, Harry turned up
at the safe house again,
and demanded the
women hand Gina over.
They tried to keep him out,
but he got a bit aggro.
Anyway, Gina ran away again.
She broke into a store,
stole some supplies,
and then nicked a car.
- Did they find her?
- The cops picked her up.
She's back at the safe house
now, but that's her done.
She's broken the
supervision order.
She's got another
two counts of theft.
She's going to found
in court tomorrow.
- Lockhart's gonna send
her to jail for sure.
- Well, maybe she's better off
in detention than with Harry.
- We need to finish up here,
and get on the road
as soon as we can.
Can I get a lift with you?
- Yeah, no worries.
- All right, we're starting.
- [Sam] Hey, did you find
what you were looking for?
- Yeah, I just wanted to follow
up something with Old Jack.
- You want some help?
- [Drew] No.
- Mr. Djana, do you hear me?
Mr. Djana?
- Try flicking through
the channels, Your Honor.
(all chuckling)
(lively guitar music)
(all chuckling)
- Mr. Djana.
(lively guitar music)
(all chuckling)
Mr. Djana.
We're gonna have to
come back to this later.
I'm sorry, Mr. Ellis.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
- [Officer] Sally Brown.
- Well, who's next?
- Willy Gavan, tribal
punishment stuff.
- Look, we don't have much time,
so let's go outside where
it's so much quieter.
- They gave me this punishment
for going wrong way
with their sister.
- Wrong way?
- Yeah, wrong skin for him.
- She's like a cousin
but not close up, like.
Anyway, they wanted her
to marry some old fella
she doesn't even love.
She's in love with me.
- The in-laws.
- What do they want?
- An eye for an eye.
They're gonna want Willie to
get justice whitefella way too.
- Well, surely I thought
everyone would be even.
I mean, they flog Willy,
and Willy flogs them.
- They're gonna cause trouble
if this doesn't go
down the right way.
I told them to trust that the
court will give them justice.
- Well, I don't think they're
going to be very disappointed.
- Willy Gavin, is
that your name?
- Yes.
- [Peter] You understand
the charges against you?
- Yes.
- How do you plead?
- Guilty, Your Honor.
- [Peter] Thank
you, take a seat.
- Mr. Gavan allegedly
grabbed an empty bottle,
striking Sadler on
the top of the head.
After Gavan left the creek,
members of the drinking party
carried Sadler back
to the main community
and from there he was taken
to the Newtown Hospital,
where he was immediately placed
in the Intensive Care unit.
There is a record, Your Honor.
- [Peter] Mr. Ellis.
- Your Honor, my client is
remorseful for his actions,
and the fact that Mr.
Sadler is still in hospital.
But Mr. Gavan was reacting to
an unjust tribal punishment
that was conducted two
and a half months prior
to this retaliation
taking place.
- Mr. Ellis, would you
clear up for the court
exactly how the punishment
was carried out.
- Ah, yes, Your Honor.
Mr. Gavan understood
that he was to be speared
as a punishment for his
wrong skin relationship
with the girl involved.
What Willy wasn't expecting was
to be dragged from a vehicle
and set upon by four men.
The four men are
the four brothers
of Mr. Gavan's common law wife.
He was kicked and beaten
before finally delivering
the tribal punishment
of spearing him in the thigh.
He was left on the side
of the road bleeding
and in a bad way.
Now, Your Honor, he had
some serious injuries,
massive blood loss, and
he had three broken ribs.
- So Mr. Ellis, are you saying
that the punishment administered
by Mr. Sadler to Mr. Gavan
directly influenced Mr.
Gavan's beating of Mr. Sadler?
- Ah, yes, Your Honor.
Um, he feels he was
unfairly dealt with,
and the seriousness
of his injuries,
and the fact that
he's not been able
to work since the incident,
coupled with the fact
that he lost the
woman that he loves,
had made him angry
enough to seek revenge.
- Is there anything
else you'd like to add?
- Ah, yes, Your Honor.
If you'd look at
Mr. Gavan's record,
it's notable that he's never
had a history of violence.
For this reason, I
would ask the court
for a lenient
sentence, Your Honor.
- (clears throat)
I feel it's clear
that your client, Mr. Gavan,
has been the victim of
an unfair punishment,
which had a direct link to
the assault that he committed.
That being said, I
don't agree that any man
has the right to take the
law into his own hands.
Mr. Gavan, you delivered
a very severe punishment.
One that could've been
fatal, do you understand?
- Yes, Your Honor.
- However, given the
seriousness of your injuries,
the loss of your
relationship and livelihood,
I think you've suffered enough.
I'm giving you a 12
month suspended sentence.
- Come on!
- Thank you, Your Honor.
Ah, Willy, just
wait down the back.
- [Officer] William Djana!
- Let's try this
one again, shall we?
Hello, Mr. Djana.
Can you hear me?
(crowd chuckling)
- Good luck with
everything, Willy.
- Yep, stay out of trouble.
- So what about the in laws?
Are they gonna be alright?
- Who knows, I told
them they'd get justice
if they came here today.
They're gonna ask why
it seemed to be missing.
- Willy got justice, Sam.
- Willy will get flogged one
night walking down a dark alley
because they reckon
that he didn't get
what was coming to him.
Peter could have given
him a jail sentence
and kept the peace, instead--
- Well, he's not a
mind reader, Sam!
And yeah, he was trying to
be culturally sensitive.
- I'm sick of you
sticking up for him.
- Then stop making
sweeping bloody statements.
- This could be you one day.
You got family out there, Drew.
You get to stop people
from being bloody idiots,
or throwing their lives away,
or maybe it's you one day
getting speared in the leg
for fuckin' something up.
Peter hasn't got a clue.
Now I've gotta be the
sacrificial lamb again.
(lively guitar music)
- What happened, Sam?
- He should be in fuckin' jail.
- Still all right for
me to catch a ride?
- Won't be long.
- You all right?
- I don't get it.
Anyone else, you would have
chucked the book at him.
Why this one?
You could have kept the peace.
- With whom?
- The family of the
beaten man, Sadler.
- It was my understanding you
were defending Willy Gavan,
you and Drew, and you did well.
I thought that's
what you wanted.
- You also knew that
there was an expectation
that he should have been given
some sort of
whitefella punishment.
- And how would I know
that, Sam, telepathy?
Was there a memo I missed?
I mean, please, enlighten me.
- I don't understand
how you can hand out
a jail sentence to a kid
who has his whole
future ahead of him,
and then you let a man
who attacked someone
with a bottle walk.
- I take offense at that, Sam.
I judge each case on its merits.
Now, you may not like the
decisions, but they stand.
- You've got no idea, do ya?
Why don't you get down
in the dirt, Peter,
and see what the
real issues are,
what really goes on.
- What the hell do you
want me to do, Sam?
I'm supposedly too hard on a
kid, you jump down my throat.
I give a guy a
break, I'm too soft.
I can't seem to win
with you people.
- You people?
What, us blackfellas?
- Sam, I didn't mean that.
Sam.
Mind if I join you?
(light guitar music)
- Rough day?
- I said a terrible thing.
I told Sam there was no
winning with you people.
(Ellie laughs)
It's not funny, it's not.
- You don't believe
Aboriginal people refer to us
as you people sometimes, Peter?
- That's not the point.
- Do you believe that
Aboriginal people
are different from you and I?
- No, I--
- No, no, no, don't give me
this politically
correct line, do you?
- Yes, yes, I do.
- And do you believe, you
know, deep in your heart
that you are better
than they are?
- No.
- [Ellie] You sure?
- Of course I'm sure.
Then you're not a
racist (chuckles).
You know, I've known blackfellas
who were in every
way superior to me,
and some that weren't.
And French and
Chinese and African.
Oh, it's got nothing to do
with where they come from
or what they look like.
The only person
who can say that,
you know, you're
doing all you can,
you're living up to who
you should be is you.
Not Sam, not me.
- I placed a child in the
hands of a potential abuser.
- Based on your best judgment.
No one's going to
blame you, Peter.
You weren't to know.
- I can't even undo it.
- From what I hear,
people are working on it.
Do you think it's true?
- I find it very
hard to reconcile
that Harry would do
something like that,
but if it's true,
I'm responsible.
- You have to work with the
information you have, Peter,
and the information you had
said it was a good idea.
- Here endeth the lesson.
- Yep, you got it (chuckles).
You're all right.
Have another drink.
(mellow music)
- [Bella] Is she here now?
- Yes, she is.
She gave them a bloody
good run for their money.
- Can we speak to her?
We need to know some
things before tomorrow
so we can help her out.
- Come in and I'll check to
see if she's okay with it.
- [Bella] Okay.
- Gina, got the
people here from ALS.
Is it okay now to speak to them?
Yeah, come through, it's okay.
Here we go.
People, this is Gina.
Gina, you remember
Bella, Drew and Sam, eh?
- Gina, remember I told you
I was going to get Sam
and Drew to help you?
Well, they need to
ask some questions,
so they can do that, okay?
- We need you to
know that we're here
because we care about you
and what has happened,
and what we need is for
you to help us first,
and then we an help you, okay?
Would you prefer to talk
to Bella and Milly alone?
- Is the judge
gonna send me away?
- [Bella] We're gonna try
to not let that happen.
- But I wanna go.
I took that car so
they'd send me to Perth.
- We can stop him if you
help us send him to jail.
If you can tell us
what he did, Gina.
All right, Gina.
(melancholy music)
That girl, Drew, you
should have seen her.
She, she's so torn.
- Yeah well, we're
going to do everything
that we possibly can
to help her, okay?
And I promise you, we'll
find a way through this.
- She's such a
little girl, Drew.
She could be my girl.
She could be Savvy.
(melancholy music)
- [Rose] Interrupting?
- Did you find the girl?
- She's talking to her family,
and this time she's really
gonna make a statement.
- That's great.
- [Rose] She wants
to talk to you too.
- He hurt me when
I was about nine.
He used to come over and visit,
bring Mom and Dad drinks and
when they were passed out,
well, that's when he
did it the first time.
He told me that
if I told anyone,
he'd have to kill
them and then me.
So um, I was terrified.
I was silent all these years.
- Did you ever think
about going to the police?
- Hey, I was a little
girl, I was nine.
I didn't think anyone
would believe me
by the time I wanted
to say something.
(melancholy music)
I did a lot of stupid things.
I was hurting.
I didn't know how
to deal with it,
and then you get
labeled and it stinks.
Eventually I left my community.
- Away from your family.
- I couldn't stay with them
and not be in Harry's way.
- But now you're willing
to make a statement
against Harry Pope.
Do your family know?
- I wanna help Gina, you know?
I wanna give her some hope,
so she can come out
and speak strong.
(dramatic music)
- It's you lot that made her
leave in the first place.
Go on, get.
You lot gonna feel
the back of my hand.
- Come and get it, old man!
- Hey you lot!
Haven't you got anything
better to do with your time?
- What the fuck do
you know about law?
- I said move on.
- Yeah, whatcha
gonna do about it?
- I'm gonna press charges.
That's what I'm
gonna do about it.
Now move on!
- Yeah, whatever (spits)!
- Hey, move on or I
will press charges!
- [Uncle Jacob] Thank
you, young fella.
- Are you okay?
- This is why I
left my community.
- Look, I know it's hard,
but you're the only hope
that Gina has right now.
(dramatic music)
- (whistles) Oi.
What are you doing?
- Well, I'm the early bird.
Here to catch me a worm.
- Leave it, Archie.
Look, if you go ahead
and expose this story
before justice is served,
then someone's gonna get hurt.
- This story needs
to come out, Sam.
- Yeah, but not yet.
You know those two old girls
you were just collecting
information from?
- They were helpful.
- They're related to Harry.
- Oh come on, Sam.
I don't think they'd use
me to get information.
- Wanna bet?
(dramatic music)
- Peter.
Good day.
- Yes, it is.
- You gonna have my girl,
Gina, up in court today.
- Yes
- Now listen to me, brother.
I know that last time it caused
problems with your lawyers,
me sitting in.
But I want to be there
to support little Gina.
Make sure everything
goes right, understand?
So I thought it would be best
if I didn't sit with you today.
I'll sit up the back.
Make things easier.
Besides, I've got family
I've gotta support.
- I think that's a good
idea, Harry, thank you.
- Okay, no worries.
I'll catch ya then.
Hey, we gotta go
fishing again soon, eh?
- Maybe next trip, okay?
We haven't done that
for awhile, mate.
(dramatic music)
- Gina, I just want you to know
that there is
another young woman
who is going to make
a statement as well.
She told us that
she wants to do it,
because she wants
to help you, okay?
- Bub, you know we'll
stand right by you, right?
- I think the best thing for us
is to ask that your
case be remanded over.
But what I want you to do
is to plead not guilty.
- No, I wanna go to Perth.
- Gina, you don't wanna get
stuck in a detention center.
It's not a good place.
- But I wanna go.
He'll find me anywhere else.
- No, that's not
gonna happen, darling.
- I'll run away.
I'll keep running.
- Well, the police are
taking Ramone's statement
at the court, but
she's a bit shaky.
Surely there's something
we can do to help Gina.
- When are Family and
Children's Services arriving?
- Well, somebody's been slated
to be here today or tomorrow.
- Well just ask me to
remand the case over.
By the time it comes up again,
Gina will be in a safer place.
- Remanding it over
is not gonna work.
Gina's gonna do
something stupid.
She wants to go to prison.
She remembers you telling her
that if she came back here
that she'd be sent away.
Now that's an escape for her.
She says if she
comes to court today
and you don't put her away,
she's gonna run away.
Can't you overturn
the supervision order?
- On what grounds?
- On the grounds that her
grandfather is abusing her!
- Not without her
making a statement, no.
- Ramone's making a statement.
Can't we admit that?
- It's inadmissible.
It relates to another
person and another case.
- Well, there's gotta
be something we can use.
I have to be able
to plead mitigating
circumstances for her.
- Not by mentioning
Harry, or the allegations.
- Well sending her to
juvie's not the answer.
- [Peter] Yes, I know that.
- Well then help us!
- We shouldn't even be
having this conversation
and you know that.
Just follow due process.
(dramatic music)
- [Officer] The court
calls Gina Pope.
- Don't look at anybody else
except me and the judge, okay?
You keep your eyes facing
to the front, all right.
- Is your name Gina Pope?
- Yes.
- [Peter] How are you, Gina?
- Okay.
- [Peter] Do you
know why you're here?
Do you understand the
charges against you?
- Yes.
- [Peter] Are you
guilty or not guilty?
- Guilty.
- It is further alleged
that she then broke
into a car and stole it,
the keys having been
left inside by the owner.
Ms. Pope then drove
the car towards town,
where she was apprehended
by a member of the
community police.
She was returned to the care
of a warden awaiting
her hearing.
- Is that what happened, Gina?
- Yes.
- [Peter] Mr. Ellis.
- Your Honor, the circumstances
leading up to my client
going on this crime spree
are a direct link to what has
occurred here in recent weeks.
Gina's parents are both in jail.
Therefore, she has been
pulled from pillar to post.
Hardly the kind of environment
to promote stability.
Her placement with her aunties
initially was a failure
and her current placement seems
to be the same for reasons
that I am unable to
present here except to say
that it is not healthy or safe.
- I must caution you, Mr. Ellis.
- The situation is far
from ideal, Your Honor.
My client felt that she
would rather be elsewhere.
Consequently, she
planned an escape.
- [Peter] And where
was your client going?
- She was heading into town
to visit other family members
where she believed that she
would be in a safer environment,
and closer to and thus
able to visit her mother.
Gina believed that there was
no other course of action.
- [Peter] Theft and
breaking into premises
causing damage is not something
which can be taken
lightly, Mr. Ellis.
Nor is having my
supervision orders ignored.
- Your Honor, I'm
not excusing it,
but at the time of the offense
my client did not and
could not see a way
that would help her get
her to her destination,
but to walk or to
steal a vehicle.
And in order to do so,
she needed food supplies
to sustain herself.
Thus was her need to feel safe.
- Well, Gina, that
is quite a plan.
Were you really so
unhappy where I placed you
that you needed to do
all this to run away
and get yourself
into more trouble?
- Yes.
- But don't you remember
what I said to you last time.
That the next time
you came in here,
I would have to
send you to Perth.
Didn't that worry you?
- No.
- Gina, can you tell me why
you were so unhappy
where I placed you?
(dramatic music)
- If you tell the Magistrate,
then he can help you.
Come on, Gina.
- Listen to me, Gina,
you're not going to get into
trouble for telling the truth.
In fact, it may
help us understand
why you behave the way you do.
It's very sad when
families are torn apart.
The prospect of
breaking up a family
is not something
which I endorse.
I know young girls
can be a handful
for their carers sometimes,
especially when placed in the
care of older grandparents.
Stand up please, Gina.
I feel I have no choice
but to send you to Perth
for the period of one month.
(crowd gasps)
Gina, come closer please.
During that time,
Family and Children's Services
will work to find you a
more appropriate placement
when you're released, okay?
Gina, and it would be good
if you could speak to someone
about what's making
you so unhappy.
You take care, thank you.
(crowd chattering)
- Got your story?
(crowd chattering)
- Ramone, are you
feeling any better?
- It's weird being back here.
There are days like this
when it comes down on
you like a ton of bricks.
- Yeah, I think Gina just
had one of those days.
- But you got her
away from him, eh?
- Yeah, but it meant we had
to take her away from family,
and I mean, how do you measure
that and say one is better?
So, are you ready to
make your statement?
We can run through it
right now if you like.
- It's all right for me.
I, I get to leave again.
What about my family?
Things are gonna get worse
before they get better.
Last time I looked,
Harry Pope was still
walking around,
and smiling up he goes.
- Yeah, and he's just gonna
keep doing it, you know,
until someone like you
stands up to him, Ramone.
- We don't wanna put
the pressure on you,
but if one little
girl can break the law
to stand up to Harry Pope,
that should give
you some hope, eh?
She needs you to
come forward too.
- No, I gotta think
about my family.
(dramatic music)
- Do you have to go?
- I won't stay long.
Come on, I promise.
I'll say hello and
come straight home.
Harry will get done one
way or another, baby.
Just gotta be patient.
(Archie scoffs)
- I think I've run
out of patience.
You'd better go.
You'll be late.
- Come on, get up.
- Why?
- [Clarry] We got
a party to go to.
- What about your Dad?
What's he gonna say?
- [Clarry] Let him deal with it.
(Archie chuckles)
(guests chattering)
(lively music)
♪ I can picture your
face in a storm cloud ♪
♪ Thunder make you grin ♪
- Dad.
- Didn't think you were coming.
- I wouldn't miss it.
Dad, you know my friend Archie.
- You want a beer?
- Big family, what, all
of this is Bella's people?
- Ah, this is only half
of them on her mom's side.
Wait till you see
her Dad's side.
And then there's the
extended mob, skin rellies.
- Okay, I get the idea.
- Nice to be in a big family
when they're like this one.
Hey, what I said the other day,
about you ending up like
me when you found your mob?
I didn't mean that.
- No, you're right.
It's too much.
I mean, look at what happened
at the mish, at Jalwarra.
- You can't judge
everyone that way.
This is how family
should be, Drew.
This is what could be
waiting for you out there.
- [Bella] How's my
two favorite guys?
- Good.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- A toast.
- To Mom!
- To Mom!
- You guys talking about me?
- Yep.
- [Rose] Good.
- Hey, excuse me, my peoples.
Now we all know what
we're here for tonight.
The big 60 years for my Mom.
(guest cheering and applauding)
So I'd like to propose
a toast to my Mom,
my favorite girl in the world,
and to my Dad, who's
not with us anymore,
but if he was here,
I know he would serenade
you with this love song.
He used to sing it to you
when the luggers pulled out
to bring him home safely to
you and his young family.
(speaking in
Aboriginal language)
(singing in Aboriginal language)
♪ And when I'm gone
forget not me ♪
♪ Soon I'll come back to you ♪
♪ From the Arafura sea ♪
♪ Soon I'll come back to you ♪
♪ From the Arafura sea ♪
(guests cheering and applauding)
(lively music)
♪ I can picture your
face in a storm cloud ♪
♪ Thunder make you grin ♪
♪ Lightening lights
up your eyes ♪
♪ Really, really make you spin ♪
(lively music)