a song from local SE Qld singer/songwriter, Tommy Leonard :


THE RAPE OF MALENY
Tommy Leonard - July 2005

Have you heard what happened in Maleny? It's enough to break your heart.
Maleny was raped in broad daylight and the police held her legs apart.

Some people blame the developers, some blame a supermarket chain.
Some people blame the police and the state, but we must never let it happen again.

Now I don't understand the politics, and I don't understand the law.
I don't understand the corruption and lies, but I do know what I saw.

One hundred and twenty or more police in this quiet little country town.
Forcing her to yield against her will while the gang rapists took their turns.

Just one more shameful misuse of the Queensland Police, policewomen and policemen.
Stopping the people from protecting the creek, the trees and the platypus underground.

The police were just acting on orders from above, they were doing as they were told.
Some people were arrested who could not stand by
And see their mother stripped, bleeding and cold.

Now perhaps I can begin to understand how indigenous Australians feel.
Their country has been ravaged by a man with a gun
For two hundred and thirty-five years.

He trespassed on their land without permission, with his gun and noose ignored their laws.
First he took the gold, today it's uranium, but it's been two hundred and thirty-five years.

Now as a general rule I am a peaceful man, I try to keep within the law of the land.
But when the law is ass I will raise my voice so the lawmakers understand.

Yes when the law is an ass I will question it. When the law is an ass I will challenge it.
When the law is an ass I will change it. To protect democracy in this land.

Yes, have you heard what happened in Maleny? It's enough to break your heart.
Maleny was raped in broad daylight and the police held her legs apart.

Maleny is being raped in broad daylight while the police hold her legs apart.



Tommy is a talented guitarist and a deep-thinking songwriter, possessed of a most beautiful voice and who has 2 CDs out - one of (the late) Don Henderson's songs ("A Gentle Breeze") and a recent one of his own compositions ("Spiral of Change"), which I couldn't get out of my player for days!! (highly recommended)


Cheers! R-J