Minister Unveils Child Migrant Memorial

A life-size bronze statue of a young boy and girl carrying all their worldly possessions in a small suitcase apiece will serve as a perpetual reminder of the experiences of nearly 3,000 unaccompanied children who were shipped to Western Australia from Britain and Malta over a period spanning more than 50 years.
The memorial to honour the memory, and the contribution to Western Australian society and history, of former child migrants was fittingly launched on Human Rights Day (10 December) by the WA Minister for Community Development, the Hon. Sheila McHale.

Set in the grounds of Fremantle’s new Maritime Museum against a spectacular harbour backdrop, the establishment of the memorial was one of 33 recommendations contained in the 2001 Senate Community Affairs Committee Inquiry into Child Migration Schemes “Lost Innocents: Righting the Record”.


Democrat Senator Andrew Murray, himself a former child migrant who played a key role in establishing the Senate Inquiry, issued a statement congratulating the WA Government for taking up the recommendation to establish the memorial (which is jointly funded with the Australian Government).

Also acknowledging Australian Government funding for Care Leavers Australia (CLAN) which was announced on the same day, Senator Murray said the initiatives “go some way to righting the record” acknowledging the willingness of “governments from both sides of politics… to show concern and compassion for the injustices perpetrated on many Australian citizens when they were children.”


Unveiling the memorial before an audience of close to 100 former child migrants, family members, agency representatives and other concerned citizens, Minister McHale said it provided “a way of recognising the valuable contribution of former child migrants as members of our community” as well as “going some way towards healing the past”.

“These children are now adults and some are no longer with us, but their children and grandchildren can know their loved ones are remembered for the part they played in our community and our history.” Dr Harries said the quality care of children was the business of everyone.

The launch of the memorial, Dr Harries said, was both an opportunity to honour heroes of the past, “the proud community of men and women who came here as children… now proud fellow citizens who continue to contribute to the richness of our wonderful Australian community” as well as providing an opportunity to re-commit to building a community that truly “cares for its children”. “We can and must continue to ensure that children are valued by everyone in our community.”

Dr Harries also acknowledged the work of the many people, including Senator Murray and individuals at C-BERS who had worked so hard to bring the memorial to reality.

Of the former child migrants who came to Western Australia, over a 30 year period about 1100 went to Christian Brothers institutions. Around one third came from Malta and the rest came from the United Kingdom.


Our thanks to the Department for Community Development for supplying the photographs

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