The Taint
At age 17, Ray “Poss” Ide was convicted for a horrifying crime he claims he did not commit: the rape of a 14-year-old girl. The Taint portrays Ide’s early life, including years in Westbrook Boys’ Reformatory and Boggo Road, and time served in NSW gaols. After prison, Poss was recruited by Parramatta Eels football team. On the point of becoming celebrated for his sporting prowess, his rape conviction became known. Humiliated, he left the team. In Queensland via Grafton, NSW (where he met and married the Jacaranda Queen) he continued his sporting career, only never again in the Big League. A cautionary tale for young men, The Taint depicts social change: the sexual revolution of the 1960s and violence between police and trade unionists in the streets of Brisbane. It tells what really went on behind closed doors in institutions where vulnerable children were preyed upon, and gaols where men were expected to become beasts. The taint of rape affected the rest of Poss Ide’s life.
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July 5th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
I had the great pleasure of meeting Cheryl at a meeting of FAWQ where she spoke of the writing of this book. What a sad story! This couldn’t happen in our society, could it? Yes it does happen, and it’s a story that must be told. Well researched and very well written. Well done Cheryl
July 22nd, 2013 at 6:36 am
Thank you for your kind comments, Susan. This was a very difficult book to write. It followed “The ‘brook” which is called “Brutal” in its second and third editions published by New Holland Publications. Apart from entering a vey dark world of institutional abuse, “The Taint” describes two young girls’ encounters with a group of men not much older than themselves. What happened is quite horrifying, especially for the younger of the girls. Two of the men were convicted of rape, the other two were no-billed, which means they were regarded as innocent, even though they seemed to me to be at least as culpable as the two who were gaoled. The malleability of the law in dealing with this episode was very disturbing. and it was from this perspective that I wrestled with the story. Something else seemed to be going on which had very little to do with justice. The court transcripts revealed an even greater dichotomy. The background to the story was the ‘swinging’ sixties and the seventies, Joh Bjelke-Petersen, police corruption and pitched battles between Joh’s boys and the unions. Interesting times.
April 1st, 2015 at 10:28 am
Hello,
My grandfather (Johnny Morris) is mentioned in this book. Also interested to learn more!
I purchased the epub and look forward to reading it.
July 22nd, 2015 at 7:22 pm
Hi Tony,
Just saw your comment. Sorry I’m so late in getting back to you. Was just talking to Ray “Poss” Ide, who remembers your grandfather, Johnny Morris, as a really great bloke. And apparently a very good singer!
Hope you enjoyed the book. Poss is actually currently looking for a pardon for the crime for which he was convicted.
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