The Sapphires Quotes

“Show’s over girls. Pack your swags and get back to the humpy”

[Racism and Prejudice] Merle

“Get that black dog away from me”

[Racism and Prejudice] Injured Soldier

“Get your hands off me!”

[Racism and Prejudice] Gail

“Oh this poor little mission ‘gin making the coconut shame aye?”

[Racism and Prejudice] Cynthia

“Being treated like dogs by the gubs in town every single day. That’s not the life I was born for”

[Racism and Prejudice] Gail

“But trust me girls singing in Vietnam is not for you”

Dave is a character who challenges the girls' aspirations, highlighting the cultural and personal struggles they will face in pursuit of their dreams.

“Don’t you fellas ever read newspapers? Vietnam? There’s a war in Vietnam!”

[Brutality of War] Robby

“Anyone could lob a hand grenade and start shooting us”

[Brutality of War] Kay

“They don’t care what colour you are when you sing like that”

[Music as a Unifying Force] Dave

“Give me some of that sweet soul music”

[Music as a Unifying Force] Dave

“Every note that passes through your lips should have the tone of a woman who’s grasping and fighting and desperate to retrieve what’s been taken from her”

[Music as a Unifying Force] Dave

“Welcome home my daughter”

[Identity & Belonging / Family] Grandmother

“I don’t see how you’re going to win any contest without me”

[Identity and Belonging] Julie

“I didn’t get a say in how things worked out for me”

[Identity and Belonging] Kay

“I’m black I’m just pale black”

Kay expresses her complex identity, highlighting her mixed heritage and experiences as an Aboriginal woman.

“It’s my responsibility

Dave

“I was never good enough. I was never good enough at music and certainly not at life and that’s a… hard thing to take”

[Identity and Belonging] Dave

“But sort it out whatever it is”

“I came here to apologise for giving you a hard time. But now I’m not going to bother”

[Forgiveness] Gail

“And I’ve never been able to forgive her”

[Forgiveness] Gail

“I know I’ve got a child. That’s why I want to make something for myself”

[Gender and Sexuality] Julie

“Cos this is my big break”

[Gender and Sexuality] Cynthia

“Very sexy”

[Gender and Sexuality] Dave

“You’re a strong woman and I admire that”

Dave expresses his respect for the resilience and determination of Gail.

“Gail from the moment we got kicked out of that pub together I knew you were someone I wanted in my life”

Dave expresses his deep admiration for Gail, highlighting the bond they formed during a difficult experience.

“All I want to do is look after you”

[Love] Dave

“Time that girl came back to us”

[Importance of Family] Grandmother

“You’re mama bear

and they’re your little baby cubs”