AustLit

Rick McLeod and his five siblings were taken from their mother when she went to seek assistance from welfare in Sydney. His mother was originally from interstate and had only travelled to Sydney to have a better life. McLeod was sent to the Royleston Depot in Glebe, before being sent to three foster parents. He stayed with the third foster family until he was 16 years old and joined the Army. As a teenager, McLeod had attended Bomaderry High school and was unaware of his Aboriginality until he began receiving cheques from the Aboriginal Secondary Grant Scheme. He later worked for the Aboriginal Link-Up Program in Queensland. He is the brother of Pauline McLeod.