Outback Love Story at the Centre of Aussie Pearl Harbor Movie

In 1945 Isabel and Percy Smith brought six children to Adelaide from Alice Springs for a better chance in the big city with the support of their mothers. Some of the first group of boys who went to St Francis House. Bill Espie, John Palmer (Back), Noel Hampton, Charles Perkins, Malcolm Cooper (Front), Isabel Smith, Percy Smith.

A new movie in pre-production, Finding Miss Almond, will tell the remarkable story of Isabel Smith (nee Almond), an Australian woman whose life and love story intertwined with historical events during World War II. Directed by Mark Webber, the film explores Isabel’s outback romance with Percy Smith, set in Alice Springs against the backdrop of the Japanese threat and the burgeoning American military presence in Australia.

A Romance in the Red Desert

Born in 1914 in Adelaide, Isabel Almond had a promising future as a piano teacher. However, during WWII, she worked in a munitions factory, and in the summer of 1940, she went 2000 miles north to visit her boyfriend Tom who was training with the army in Alice Springs. Here, Isabel met a different man, Percy Smith on the church steps, who made a lasting impression: “Quaint. Unassuming. Gentle. Sincerely, Loyal and reliable. A man of his word,” she recalled.

After their initial meeting, the pair developed a relationship, and Isabel’s heart was moved by the poor living conditions of the Indigenous children she encountered living at the Old Telegraph Station, where Percy worked. This encounter would shape Isabel’s life, leading her to join Percy in his mission to care for Indigenous children in Central Australia, despite the looming threat of Japanese aggression in the Pacific.

The Legacy of St Francis House

In 1945, Percy and Isabel brought six boys to Adelaide, initiating a pioneering experiment to integrate Indigenous children into mainstream education. The venture, known as St Francis House, provided these children with opportunities they had previously been denied. Over its existence, 66 boys passed through St Francis House, many of whom went on to become prominent figures in Australia’s civil rights movement and in various fields like government, academia, sport, the arts and activism. Seven of the boys have been recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for their achievements.

Percy Smith assists Malcolm Cooper and Charles Perkins with their homework in 1947.

Charles Perkins, a key figure and former resident of St Francis House, became one of Australia’s most influential civil rights leaders and led the Freedom Rides emulating Dr Martin Luther King Junior. Other notable figures include artist John Moriarty, the first Indigenous Socceroo, and Gordon Briscoe, a historian, and the first Indigenous man to run for Parliament.They were among the first Indigenous Australians to get a university education.

Moriarty is known for his Qantas Aboriginal Flying Art series on six planes, showcasing Indigenous art to the world, Briscoe was the first Indigenous person to achieve a PhD at the Australian National University, and Perkins was the first Indigenous man to graduate from an Australian university and the first appointed by the Prime Minister to head a Federal Government department, trying to change policies which has oppressed Indigenous people for many years.

St Francis House proved that with the right support, Indigenous children could thrive, despite the many societal challenges they faced. Isabel’s contribution to this cause remains an enduring legacy.

The late David Woodford, who was born at the Old Telegraph Station, and was one of the first six boys said while living at St Francis' House,

“I always kept in contact with my mother through letters and Christmas visits when funds were available. If mothers had difficulty finding the money Father Smith would think up some way to raise what was needed.”

WWII and American Forces in Alice Springs

The surprise Japanese bombing of Darwin in 1942, dragged Australia into the war, only 10 weeks after the infamous Pearl Harbor strike. Led by the same naval commander Mitsuo Fuchida, with many of the same aircraft carriers, 188 planes were involved in the first mainland attack on Australia, killing 235 people and wounding more than 300. It shook Australia. 

During World War II Australia hosted more than one million American soldiers, and Alice Springs was transformed. The small town of 1000 people saw its population swell, as up to 5000 American soldiers were stationed there following the bombing of Darwin. The American military presence marked a turning point for Isabel and Percy, as their mission to help Indigenous children continued during a time of heightened danger. The relationship between Isabel, Percy, and the broader community became a beacon of hope and resilience as the war raged on.

A Film Grounded in History

Mark Webber, the director behind Finding Miss Almond, has worked closely with Isabel’s grandson, Mark Smith, to bring this remarkable story to life. Drawing on the rich history of WWII, the film also includes references to General Douglas MacArthur, who visited Alice Springs in 1942. MacArthur’s visit, along with saying his famous line, “I shall return,” at outback railway station of Terowie in far north South Australia, marks a pivotal moment in the film’s broader historical context.

Webber, whose displaced and homeless upbringing, and native American heritage, helped him to understand the experience of the First Australians, sees parallels between the civil rights struggles faced by Indigenous Australians and the experiences of marginalized groups worldwide. He is particularly inspired by the actions of Charles Perkins, John Moriarty, cast in the mold of Dr Martin Luther King Junior, and others who fought for Indigenous rights during a time of systemic oppression.

Key figures in this story, General Douglas MacArthur, actor and movie director Mark Webber, Mark Smith, Isabel, Smith, Percy Smith, Charles Perkins AO, John Moriarty AM and Martin Luther King Jnr at Glanville Hall, originally the home of former South Australian Premier John Hart, in Adelaide, built in 1856. Established as a seat of power, ninety years later it became St Francis House, a place to support empowerment. 

A Universal Story of Love and Service

While Finding Miss Almond is grounded in historical events, it is, at its heart, a deeply personal and universal love story. It highlights the relationship between Isabel and Percy, whose love for each other was built on a foundation of service to others. Their commitment to helping Indigenous children in the face of adversity is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

“I am excited to have this partnership and make this movie about Mark Smith’s family and the incredible things they have done,” said Webber. “It’s a beautiful story. First and foremost, it’s a universal love story, how Isabel and Percy found each other, and then a relationship that was built on a foundation of service to others.”

Mark Smith, Isabel’s grandson, is proud to share his grandparents’ story with the world. “This movie will show the love my grandmother gave to others and the immense joy she found in helping the children in her care,” Smith said. “She treated all the children she cared for as part of her family.”

Honoring a Legacy

For Mark Smith, Finding Miss Almond is more than just a film project; it is a way to honor his late father, John P McD Smith, who passed away suddenly in 2022. His father had long wanted to share the story of Isabel and Percy with the world, and now, with Webber’s help, that dream is becoming a reality.

“I created this movie to honor my late father,” Smith said. “It’s something he always wanted to do, to tell the story of his beloved parents in the mainstream.”

With Mark Webber’s vision and creative direction, Finding Miss Almond promises to be a powerful and moving portrayal of a remarkable woman, her love story, and her legacy of service to Indigenous Australians.

For more visit www.liveheart.com.au.