AustLit

'William ('Bill') Reid was born on 23 January 1917 in a calico tent on the Cuttabri Aboriginal reserve near Wee Waa, New South Wales, of Gamilaraay (Kamilaroi) descent. His parents worked on nearby Sunnyside station, supplementing their wages with bush tucker. At an early age, Bill took a great interest in the language and culture of the Murrie people and developed a store of knowledge about traditional plants, animals, foods and medicines. At the age of six, he went to Wee Waa where he attended school for two years (his only formal schooling), and then at 13 was sent off to work ringbarking and cutting burrs for 1s 6d per week. His mother moved the family to Brewarrina in 1922 to escape the reserve authorities.' (Introduction)