Table Of Contents

• The Ties That Bind Us
• C-BERSS Submission to Senate Enquiry
• Assistance With Family Tracing
• Assistance With Reunification Travel
• Memories Of Christmas
• Support For Victims Of Abuse

 

The Ties That Bind Us A Christmas 2000 Message from the Chairperson of C-BERS Services Maria Harries Christmas is a time in which we traditionally seek out the people who are important in our lives. In the vast majority of cases, these “most important” people are other family members — an extended network of people with whom we share a long history of common experiences. These are the people who, not only know us (and hopefully love us), but who have also contributed significantly to who we are at this point of time in our own personal histories. As part of the festivities associated with Christmas, we acknowledge and celebrate “the ties that bind us” to each other. Sadly, as many of our readers will be only too well aware, those bonds of a shared history were interrupted for thousands of former child migrants who were sent to a country half way across the other side of the world leaving their families and the continuity of their heritage behind. One of the main reasons C-BERS Services was set up in 1995 was an attempt to heal the wounds inevitably caused by such premature upheaval. Six years later, it is encouraging to observe the extent to which former child migrants are, on their own behalf, seeking out each other to build upon the bonds that derive from a shared history of experiences. In our last newsletter, we reported on the huge success of the reunion luncheon organised by the Child Migrant Friendship Society in June. The Society is already planning a “Christmas in July” function for next year which features amongst the notice board listings in this edition. Old Boys Associations have also been set up for each of the major institutions at which former child migrants spent their formative years. Again, a reunion weekend for the Tardun Old Boys and their families is planned for early February at Tuppin House in Guilderton (Moore River). This newsletter has also provided a means, not only for establishing a connection between people who share a common story, but also for people to share their story. Our three contributors in this edition, all speak of the opportunity provided by the Christmas season to get together with those they care about, and who similarly care about them. We hope that all our readers are afforded similar opportunities, both for Christmas 2000 and in the year that follows.

 

 

 

C-BERSS Submission to Senate Enquiry On behalf of former child migrants who are clients of C-BERS Services, a submission has been lodged with the Parliamentary Senate Inquiry into Child Migration. Details of the Inquiry, which has been set up under the auspices of the Senate’s Community Affairs Committee to investigate the role and responsibility of Australian Governments in relation to child migration schemes practised during the 20th Century, were announced in our September newsletter. As well as inquiring into the way in which former child migrants were treated by government and private institutions, the Committee is also considering whether a formal apology and compensation may be called for. At the time this newsletter was going to press, the deadline for making submissions to the Inquiry had just passed. In preparing the C-BERS submission, we took account of the views of you, our clients, many of whom have indicated that you want support to “get on with your lives”. We have asked the Government for services such as family tracing, assistance with reunification travel and counselling to enable you to do so.

 

 

 

Assistance With Family Tracing British Child Migrant Central Information Index (CMCII) A centralised information service has recently been set up in England to help former British child migrants find the name of their Sending Agency as a means of obtaining further details on their family background. The CMCII links information on British child migrants who were sent to Australia, Canada and New Zealand on Government assisted schemes (in this first instance between 1920 and the late 1960s) to the agency that sent them. It is expected that records retained by Sending Agencies may assist in family tracing. Child migrants, parents and siblings of child migrants and any nominated representative are eligible to use the Index which was set up and is independently managed on behalf of the British government by the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations (NVCCO). For Further Information Contact: CMCII & NCVCCO, Unit 4, Pride Court, 80-82 White Lion Street, London N1 9PF, England Tel/Fax: Project Administrator on 0011 44 20 7713 5937 e-mail: migrant@voluntarychild.org Web Site: www.ncvcco.org Original Birth Certificates - WA Dept of Family & Children’s Services C-BERS Services has just been advised that the WA Department of Family and Children’s Services has put together a list of original birth certificates for more than 700 former Child Migrants from the UK and Malta. The certificates cover former child migrants who were born between 1930 and 1958. For Further Information Contact: C-BERS Services or John Priestley at Family and Children’s Services on 9222 2662

 

 

 

Assistance With Reunification Travel Former child migrants may qualify for funding assistance to reunite with their family of origin. Funding for Reunification Travel may be available through International Social Services (ISS) which is provided by the British Government or from C-BERS Services provided through the Christian Brothers. Staff at C-BERS Services are available to assist former child migrants in determining their eligibility for funding from the different available sources and in completing the necessary documentation. We can also provide assistance in organising the trip for former child migrants being funded through ISS or funded through us.

 

 

 

Memories Of Christmas At a time of year when most of us are extending wishes for happiness and joy to those who hold a special place in our hearts, many ex-residents can remember a time in their lives when Christmas was a far less festive occasion. At least that was the case for ex-residents Mal Fortin, Alf Spiteri and Jack Carvill who agreed to share their Christmas memories (via Counsellor Sjoukje Tarbox) with readers of C-BERS Express. As their stories reveal, more recent experiences have provided happier memories of the shared celebration of Christmas. We hope the same is also true for other ex-residents. Mal's Story Mal Fortin is a former child migrant from the UK. He came to Australia in 1953 where he lived first at Castledare (for four years) before moving to Clontarf for another four years. Mal is pictured left with his sister-in-law Mary Anne. “There is nothing memorable for me about Christmas at Clontarf.” “But I did go to a family in Kalgoorlie on several occasions to celebrate Christmas with them — I don’t remember how it all started. The children of this family welcomed me with open arms. We had a good time. The parents were a little more cautious about me, however.” “From a religious point of view, Christmas itself means nothing to me. It’s just a wind up of another year!” “But, for me, Christmas is an excuse to have the family around. We all get together. This is a family tradition. Our home is our castle.” “Christmas with all our children, grandchildren and my extended family from Mary Anne’s side, with a Christmas tree and all the trimmings is what Christmas means to me now.” Alf's Story Alf Spiteri is a former child migrant from Malta. He came to Australia in 1950 and was placed in Tardun. On leaving Tardun he married Nell with whom he had twins Sandra and Michael. He also has a stepson Ian from Nell’s previous marriage. Sadly Nell died some years ago. Alf doesn’t remember much about Christmas at Tardun. Nor does he remember anything special about Christmas in Malta. He says his family in Malta was too poor to celebrate. His only recollection is that they all had to attend Church several times on Christmas day. These days, Alf cannot remember one Christmas when he and his now grown-up family and grandchildren have not all been together as a family. “To have a family Christmas is the most important event of my life. Christmas and Boxing Days are always spent together, giving and receiving gifts, sharing food, wine, plenty of fun and lots of love!” “My Christmas wish this year is to reunite with my own family of origin, both in Malta and in the UK.” Jack's Story Jack Carvill is a former child migrant from Scotland. He arrived in Australia in 1950 and was placed at Bindoon where he spent the next seven years of his life. Jack now lives on his own in Australia. He is pictured left with his niece, Samantha, in Scotland. Jack remembers his family in Scotland as being very poor which meant they couldn’t afford much at Christmas. Whereas Christmas at Bindoon he describes as “a joke”. “It meant being woken up at midnight for Christmas Mass, then to the dining room for a bit of fruit cake, a cup of cool drink and back to bed! That was it, no “Merry Christmas”, presents, or a card, ever. Nothing to remember. Maybe a handful of lollies on Christmas Day.” He remembers one year being invited by a family to spend Christmas with them. These days, Jack goes to Christmas in the Park organised by the Wesley Church where, as well as a beautiful sit-down Christmas dinner, he also receives a Christmas present. “For me, Christmas means being with people that you can feel close to and socialise with. This is what is important to me”.

 

 

 

Support For Victims Of Abuse The Catholic Church has established a Resource Group in each Australian State to provide support for victims of abuse by church personnel (particularly abuse which is of a sexual nature) . The service is available state wide through a toll-free contact number (listed below). All calls are responded to by a contact person who is responsible for providing support and assistance through the initial complaint process. In cases where criminal abuse may have occurred, the complainant will be advised of their right to lodge a complaint with the police. Otherwise, they will be advised of the procedures followed by the Resource Group in assessing and responding to complaints. If the person appears to be in need of immediate help, counselling may be offered prior to an assessment. Once a complaint has been validated, a facilitator is appointed to work with both the victim and the Church authority towards assisting the person who has been abused to deal with the trauma of the past, and to achieve a better future. Where ongoing counselling is considered necessary, the person may opt for a professional counsellor of their own choice. The Resource Group appreciates the opportunity to work closely with C-BERS Services in those instances where the person seeks C-BERS support. Resource Group Toll Free Number: 1800 072 390

 

 

 

C-BERS Services is an independent agency, set up in 1995 to provide a broad range of services which may benefit men who previously lived at child-care institutions run by the Christian Brothers of Western Australia. Open weekdays between 8.30am and 4.30pm. Email welcome@cberss.org Web cberss.org Freecall 1800 621 805 Phone +61 [08] 9381 5422 Fax +61 [08] 9382 4114 Address 12 Alvan St, Subiaco WA 6008 Australia Post to PO Box 1172, Subiaco WA 6904, Australia

Copyright © 2000-2006. All Rights Reserved.
This newsletter was created by Chris Nicholson [me@chrisnicholson.org] for C-BERSS [cberss.org]

 

This site was whacked using the TRIAL version of WebWhacker. This message does not appear on a licensed copy of WebWhacker.