Minor Characters
“Mum” Red
“Mum” Red is Clarence and Dumby’s mother. She chooses not to associate with the Port or any of its events. Despite this, she is kind and helpful to Blacky when he attends Dumby’s funeral.
Dazza
Dazza is Blacky’s friend. After Dumby’s death, Dazza suggests that Dumby got what he deserved for trying to rob the pub. Dazza represents just part of the prejudiced community Blacky must defy in order to attend Dumby’s funeral.
Mark Arks
Mark Arks is the son of Coach Arks and the captain of the football team. Though Dumby is the better player, Mark Arks receives the top award at the end of the season, an event which causes Blacky to realize the racism in his town.
Greggy Black
Greggy is Blacky’s younger brother. Blacky describes mature concepts such as love and racial injustice to him. Greggy, because he is young and innocent, still looks up to their neglectful, abusive father. Part of this naivety is shattered when he witnesses Bob hit Blacky.
Sharon Black
Sharon is Blacky’s eldest sister. Despite the chaos of her lower-class family, she is a very neat and proper person. On the rare occasions their mother is absent, Sharon takes over the roles of cooking and cleaning.
Mick
Mick is Pickles’s father. Mick regularly drinks at the pub with Bob Black. Like many of the men in the Port, Mick is rough in both appearance and manners. Mick is originally Bob’s fishing partner, but the two separate over disagreements.
Shirl
Shirl is Pickles’s mother and a frequent patron of the pub. She is skinny and frail. Like her husband, she drinks and smokes heavily.
Rocker
Rocker is the town mechanic and a regular at the pub along with Bob Black. His wife often calls him at the bar because he is not taking care of their kids at home. His abandonment of his children mirrors Bob’s neglect of Blacky and his siblings.
Jimmy Downes
Jimmy Downes is a boy from Blacky’s school who is constantly in trouble. He starts fights and brags about his sexual conquests. Jimmy represents the hypermasculine ideal that Bob Black and the rest of the town expect Blacky to live up to.
Clemboy
Clemboy is Dumby’s cousin from the Point. Dumby’s pass to Clemboy shows Dumby’s supportive and sportsmanlike attitude.
Mrs. Ashburner
Mrs. Ashburner is the town Sunday school teacher, swim instructor, and librarian. She is very religious and strict.
Kevin Black
Kevin is one of Blacky’s younger brothers. He often speaks with improper grammar.
Jenny Black
Jenny is one of Blacky’s younger sisters.
Claire Black
Claire is one of Blacky’s younger sisters.
Sid Red
Sid is Dumby and Clarence’s uncle and Lovely’s father.
Deano
Deano is one of Blacky’s friends from the Port.
The Local Member
The local member is the number one ticket holder of the football club and is responsible for giving speeches and handing out awards at the football party.