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C-BERSS EX-PRESS
December 2004
Issue 3, Vol 7
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All Newsletters : December 2004 : Back To Bindoon
Back To Bindoon
About 20 Bindoon Old Boys boarded the bus in late October traveling back in place and time to visit to their old childhood haunts, reminisce on times shared and pay tribute to those fellow child migrants for whom the Bindoon graveyard provides a final resting place.
The trip was organised by Sr Flo O’Sullivan of the Catholic Migrant Centre, and Gordon Grant a former child migrant from Britain, in association with C-BERS. C-BERS Management Committee Member Debbi Rosser was also part of the group and wrote up this rich account of the day’s highlights for C-BERS Ex-Press.
 Friday, October 29, 2004: and the “Back to Bindoon” Bus Trip organised by Sr Flo O'Sullivan heads off at 8 am.
The schedule for the day is: visiting the old buildings and grounds; taking a tour of the working farm; paying tribute to old boys buried in the graveyard; and viewing the statue of a young boy (representing the many boys who were resident at Bindoon during the child migrant program years).
I am one of a party - which includes around 20 old boys, one wife and one widow, accompanied by Sr Flo, and representatives of the management committees of both C-BERS and the Catholic Migrant Centre.
We are met at Bindoon by George Horton (another C-BERS Management Committee Member who also took the photos) and by Br Kevin Ryan. First stop the gravesite of departed Bindoon residents.
 Old-boy and co-organiser, Gordon Grant comes prepared with floral tributes to lay on the graves. He also gives a touching speech of remembrance and reconciliation.
At this point, rain interrupts proceedings so the party adjourns to O'Driscoll's Restaurant for morning tea, where we are joined by a couple more old boys who've driven up from Perth.
A lovely morning tea has been prepared, and served, by students of the College (now called the Catholic Education College, Bindoon). The College Principal talks about how the College now operates.
From there we are taken on a tour of the farm. Some of us are driven in the College bus by one of the students who, despite his youth, delivers us safely to our destinations.
First stop are the pig sties. The smell and flies are quite overpowering, but the men seem to enjoy pointing out landmarks that were there in "their day".
The property now hosts 14 horses, (as boarding students bring their own horses with them to school). And what beautiful horses they are! We even see a young foal, rolling around in a paddock with her mother.
From the farm, we’re off to the school buildings - including the hall and the chapel bringing back mixed memories for many — some good some not so good.
Still the group photos on the front steps seem to bring the energy and enthusiasm back to the moment.
Highlights of the tour include a walk around the old workshops - the lathe in the corner that many men remember working on - and a visit to the dormitories.
We are all impressed that the balustrades the men once poured and erected, the tiles they'd put on the roof, and the grotto were all standing strong and solid.
The men are glad to see that the upper storey verandahs now have safe fencing along them.
After all this time of exploring the building and grounds, it’s time for lunch prepared by staff from the CMC.
We are treated with a slide show of photos of the old boys (a CD copy of which is presented to all those who were there).
So much food is left over and each man receives a “doggy bag” to take home. Br Kevin Ryan makes a speech about how touched he is that the men have made the effort to come back to Bindoon, that he is honoured to be included in the group and that he hopes the men have found the trip helpful and healing.
Gordon Grant makes a donation to the College to assist them in the purchase of library books that will entertain the students and provide them with reading material that is both interesting and stimulating.
 After lunch, the fitter members of the party walk up the path to the old quarry (which is being made into a grotto of reflection) to view the statue of the young boy who represents their era at Bindoon. Everyone agrees that it is a marvellous statue, and very lifelike.
The day's proceedings end with a vote of thanks to the College Principal - who expresses the hope that more men will come to make this journey - and thanks to Sr Flo for making the trip happen. All agree that it has been a worthwhile and meaningful day and everyone is glad they have come.
Pictures from top: 1. A statue of a young boy represents the many boys who were resident at Bindoon during the child migrant years 2. Gordon Grant speaking at the cemetery 3. Laurie Humphries in reflective mode
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