The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.
Jack Bell, a visual artist and sculptor, was a small boy when, as a punishment for his father, authorities moved his Wik Mungkan family to Palm Island. After leaving school Bell worked at the sawmill and as a crew member on a whaleboat which took freight to Fantome Island. Located near Palm Island, Fantome Island was a leper colony from 1939-1973. His family moved back to Aurukun in 1978.