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Archival records can help Aboriginal people connect with their histories, trace the experiences of ancestors and learn about the times and places in which they lived.

Footprints reveals the story of Lucy and Percy Pepper who were affected by laws and government policies that defined who was ‘Aboriginal’ and who was not in early twentieth century Victoria.

This book reveals their struggle to keep their extended family together, fight for Australia in World War I, make good on a soldier settlement block, and survive ill health and poverty. Their story is told through correspondence between Percy and Lucy Pepper and government officials. The letters are now in the collections of the National Archives of Australia and Public Record Office Victoria.

  • Click here to download the original 2008 version as a PDF.
  • Click here to download the 2011 edition for free in epub format.
  • Click here for teacher resources for 'Percy's war'.

Footprints travelling exhibition

Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples