Between 1863 and 1904, more than 62,000 South Sea Islanders were brought to work in Queensland from around 80 different Pacific Islands, including Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. Many were kidnapped - or 'blackbirded' - from their homes by labour agents, or came after being told lies about what to expect in Australia. For little to no money, they laboured in the sugarcane fields of Queensland. In 1994, the Federal Government officially recognised Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinct cultural group.
In February 2008, Queensland prisoners were issued packs of government-issue playing cards featuring cold case victims, in an attempt to reignite interest in these missing persons.
In Australian English, a walkabout is a brief, informal leave from work, taken by an Aboriginal person to wander the bush, visit relatives, or return to Native life.
Ashford is a made-up town. The movie takes place in Proserpine, Central Queensland.
SES is short for State Emergency Service.
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