Fantome Island

In 1945 at the age of seven a young Joe Eggmolesse was diagnosed with Leprosy He was immediately removed from his family and home and transported under police escort over a thousand kilometres to be confined on an island for the treatment of the disease For the next ten years a leprosarium for Aboriginal people became his home A lush tropical idyll off the north east coast of Australia Fantome Island was the home to a close knit community of indigenous lepers who made the most of their existence as people living on the fringes of the marginalised Now as a 73 year old Joe reflects on his indelible Fantome years His incredible poignant story offers a profound insight into one of Australias hidden histories