Mount Gambier Library is pleased to welcome Adelaide author Warren Rankine for an inspiring evening discussing his memoir, Fifteen Feet Tall: From Abandonment to Belonging, on Wednesday 23 September at 6:30pm.
Warren Rankine’s life is a testament to resilience. Abandoned at the age of two and raised through the foster care system in Adelaide’s western suburbs, his childhood was marked by hardship, loss, and uncertainty. But rather than be defined by his circumstances, Warren forged his own path, building a remarkable life and career through determination, courage, and an unwavering belief in himself.
A proud Ngarrindjeri descendant, Warren wrote Fifteen Feet Tall to provide insight into his personal journey and the broader social and cultural circumstances that shaped his early years.
“My displacement wasn’t part of the Stolen Generations but rather displacement and abandonment because of societal and cultural legacy following the cessation of the White Australia Policy. It was driven by familial shame and guilt at having an Aboriginal mixed-race child within a predominantly white family,” Warren said.
The memoir offers an honest and confronting account of Warren’s search for identity and belonging. While writing the book was an enjoyable process, revisiting the experiences that shaped his childhood proved far more challenging. As part of his research, Warren returned to the homes he once lived in and read through his state case files for the first time.
Those files, which feature prominently in the book, document his childhood through the formal language of government systems and authorities.
“It’s one thing to recount my own thoughts, emotions and memories of what I endured as a small boy. It’s a whole other reality to see those files and understand the formality and procedural reality of how my life was in the hands of authority most children never experience. I also knew that if all these years later I still find those documents confronting, then I’m sure others will be challenged by them.”
Now in its second print run, Fifteen Feet Tall has resonated with readers through its themes of courage, identity, healing, and transformation.
City of Mount Gambier Community Development Coordinator Kristi Brooks said the event would appeal to anyone interested in authentic stories of perseverance and personal growth.
“Warren’s story is both powerful and deeply moving. His willingness to share his experiences offers an opportunity for reflection, understanding, and meaningful conversation about resilience, identity, and belonging,” Ms Brooks said.
Warren hopes readers find something within his story that helps them navigate their own challenges.
“I hope that anyone reading this book can resonate with or identify something that may help them move forward through whatever challenges they may be facing,” Warren said.
This is a free event with the opportunity for the audience to pose questions and books available for sale and signing. For bookings contact Mount Gambier Library on 8721 2540 or book online via the library website under ‘Programs and Events’.
