Table Of Contents

• A Message of Hope
• Malta Memories .. Preserved for Posterity
• CBERSS in Cyberspace
• A Friend in Need
• Who's Who at C-BERSS
• A Second Chance in Life
• C-BERSS Counselling Extended
• Meeting up with the old Tardun Boys
• CMFS Reunion
• See it at C-BERSS

 

A Message of Hope In our work at C-BERS we are regularly confronted with the stories of people who have been through the most devastating of experiences and yet who somehow manage to find a way to reclaim their lives… (usually after a lot of help and perhaps late into their lives). But the story of their survival and ultimate success may offer some hope to those who are still struggling. One such story is featured in this newsletter. John Ryall offered his story for publication in the hope that it would inspire others, firstly to seek help, and ultimately to go beyond the unresolved issues that may keep them hostage to a painful past. The message of John’s story and of so many other men’s stories who have sought the help that C-BERS is able to offer is that it is NEVER too late and it IS possible to move on, to recover, and to blossom, no matter how late in life the journey may begin. I hope that all our readers will take heart and continue to maintain their faith that they too can reclaim their lives given the right help and support. Maria Harries, Chairperson C-BERSS Board

 

 

 

Malta Memories .. Preserved for Posterity Ten Maltese ex-residents are taking part in a project which will provide a permanent record of their impressions and experiences both before they came to Australia as child migrants AND after they arrived. The Maltese Oral History Project, which is being undertaken by C-BERS in partnership with the Oral History Unit of the State Library, aims to honour the personal stories of Maltese child migrants as a way of preserving their personal heritage and of contributing to a broader understanding of the social history of our times. The ten men who volunteered to take part in the project have told their stories to professional interviewer John Bannister in a series of structured, personal interviews each lasting between two and three hours. John previously conducted interviews with Aboriginal people whose stories featured in the Stolen Generations Report a few years ago. (All participants in the oral history project have reported that they were very happy with the sensitive and understanding way in which the, often very personal, interviews were handled). The second stage of the project involves transcribing the taped interviews which, collectively, add up to a total of around 25 hours. It is hoped that a written version of the interviews will be completed by Spring. Subject to the permission of the men who participated in the project, consideration will then be given to whether to edit the stories into a publication for wider distribution. C-BERS Counsellor, Michael Anderson, who is coordinating the project, is passionate about the value of oral histories. "They are good for the people who share their stories, for their descendents, and for society as a whole". Further information on the Maltese Oral History Project is available from Michael.

 

 

 

CBERSS in Cyberspace YES… C-BERSS has indeed launched into cyberspace with our very own interactive web-site which means we will be able to communicate with, and hear back from, ex-residents and students, as quick as a flash, over the electronic air waves. Visitors to the C-BERS web-site will be able to access a varied array of information about our organisation, our services, our staff, as well as snippets of other information they may find relevant or helpful. There’ll even be a record of current and previous newsletters (the publication of which has been cleared by all ex-residents whose stories are featured). The interactive nature of the site will make it possible for ex-residents and students to post their own messages either direct to C-BERS, or as a way of providing information to fellow old boys about upcoming meetings or events. Some may even care to submit their own story to appear on the website or use the site to track down long lost friends and contacts. Acknowledging that many of our readers may not have a computer with internet access, it is worth noting that most local libraries now have computers that are available for the public to use. If you do get a chance to visit our web-site we would appreciate any feedback you may have for how we may improve it. The C-BERS home page address is: www.cberss.org Our new email address is: welcome@cberss.org

 

 

 

A Friend in Need The Child Migrant Friendship Society held its Annual General Meeting on 4 February 2001 at the McCauley Centre Hall in Leederville. The meeting elected office bearers for the coming year. Long-term President Maureen Colgan was re-elected to carry on the president’s role until a former Child Migrant is elected to take over the reins. Maureen also holds the position of Public Relations Officer. Mary Armstrong resigned as Assistant Secretary and Jean Cooper was elected as her replacement. Brian Hoare is representing Bindoon on the Committee. Following the huge success of the reunion organised for former child Migrants at the WACA in June last year, another reunion is planned for Sunday 15th July this year with a “Christmas in July” theme. Invitations will be sent out early in June. For further information contact Maureen Colgan: phone 9317 2753 (after 6 pm). The Child Migrant Friendship Society was formed in 1982 and constituted in 1988. Its initial purpose was to provide mutual support to former Child Migrants, including helping to locate families and raise funds for reunification purposes. Twenty-eight former Child Migrants benefited from the Society’s reunification efforts. Re-constituted in 1999 its main purpose now is to foster friendship amongst former Child Migrants.

 

 

 

Who's Who at C-BERSS Sue Lodge-Calvert Sue Lodge-Calvert works with C-BERSS as a consultant to the counselling staff and the C-BERS Management Committee. Sue graduated as a social worker in 1980 and worked in hospitals for many years before starting consulting work. When not at C-BERS, Sue devotes her time to working with refugees who are survivors of political torture and trauma. She also teaches social work at the University of Western Australia. Sue’s professional and personal experiences have led her to develop a strong belief in the capacity of the human spirit not only to recover but to grow despite great trauma and suffering. She is deeply committed to supporting healing and health where ever it is possible and in helping to establish the conditions in which individuals and communities reach their full potential.

 

 

 

A Second Chance in Life Tardun ex-resident John Ryall felt he benefited so much from the counselling he received from C-BERS, he wanted to share with other ex-residents his new found lease of life. John submitted his personal story for inclusion in C-BERS EX-PRESS. This article is long overdue, it should have been written quite some time ago. In writing it I hope to express my thanks to C-BERS for their part in giving me a new start in life. This to some might sound a bit dramatic, but believe me, I needed all the help I could get to change the downward spiral to where I was heading. John Before I made contact with C-BERS, I was a very sick emotional person, full of blame towards everything and everyone who had entered my life or may have entered my life. I felt like "THE WORLD OWED ME!" Like many other men I came from England in the 1950’s. I was born on the 13th of October 1945, just after the Second World War. Thousands of children like myself were in the same circum-stances, without any knowledge of who they really were, or if they were loved by anyone in this world. My mother gave me up at three months of age. This, I was to find out later, caused me great emotional trauma which affects me to this day. I say "to this day" for, despite a lot of therapy, the emotional scars are still there. On reaching my forty-sixth birthday I had resigned myself to the fact that no woman would want me in her life as I thought then that I was incapable of living with another person. For up to forty-seven years of my life I had lived in a very dysfunctional way, not wanting to change. Alcohol was my escape from reality. Only one person could have got me off my sick merry-go-round, and that was ME. I had the choice to stay in the "BLAME GAME" or start to get well. Before starting therapy, I started attending meetings of Alcoholics’ Anonymous. Here I was to learn that if I wanted to get well I had to get honest. To get to the bottom of my many problems I realised I needed professional help. At this point of time I was in contact with the people at C-BERS. I was introduced to a C-BERS counsellor, a very good and understanding person who has since left. On my first visit I said to her that this would only take two months, she replied "in your case... try two years". After three-and-a-half years I had sorted out many issues that only a professional therapist with skill and patience could have helped me with. At my first interview I was told that this would be one of the hardest and most painful things I would ever do. It was!! At times it seemed to go on forever but my persistence paid off. Today, at the age of 55, I live with my new wife Eileen (we only just got married a few months ago) and I attend University studying music. Although I occasionally see a therapist at CBERS I also use the program of Alcoholics’ Anonymous to help me cope with life. Thanks to CBERS I met my mother for the first time in 1998. Going back to Wales to meet her answered many questions. Living life as an orphan was not the ideal way to grow up, and some of the Brothers were unsuited to the task of caring for boys with my background. However many of the Brothers gave all they could, for this I thank them all, living and dead. For the past six years I have been a member of the TARDUN OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION. We meet for weekends at Moore River and various other venues. The bond between us grows as we meet. To me this is my family. I hope to see more of you old boys on these occasions. They really are well worth the effort. By telling my story I hope it will encourage others to seek the help that C-BERS offers.

 

 

 

C-BERSS Counselling Extended to women previously in the care of the Sisters of Mercy The Sisters of Mercy have contracted C-BERSS to provide confidential counselling free of charge to former child migrants previously in their care who may require professional help to resolve issues associated with their past. The confidential nature of the counselling means that no identifying information will be revealed to anyone outside C-BERS Services (including to the Sisters of Mercy). Women seeking counselling may therefore be assured that their identity and any information about them will remain strictly private and confidential. To ensure that women who may be eligible for, and benefit from, this service know that it is now available, we ask that all our readers spread the message far and wide. For further information contact C-BERSS on: (08) 9381 5422 or Freecall: 1800 621 805

 

 

 

Meeting up with the old Tardun Boys C-BERSS staff had a recent successful meeting with representatives of Tardun Old Boys Association where there was much lively discussion of what was needed and how we can help. We value these meetings as they keep us informed of the needs of the people we have been established to support. It is planned to hold these meetings quarterly (in advance of Newsletter publication) and we would really welcome similar input from other old boys groups.

 

 

 

Child Migrant Friendship Society Reunion Mark your diary for the next reunion of former child migrants. The theme is "Christmas in July" to be held, somewhat appropriately, on the 15th July 2001, again at the WACA. Book early via Society President: Maureen Colgan - Telephone: 9317 2753 (after 6 pm)

 

 

 

See it at C-BERSS The Migrant Album: A photographic record of Australia’s migrants of post-war years. Fr Hudson’s Homes – Coleshill, Birmingham: Photographs taken recently at Fr. Hudson’s are now available at C-BERSS. And for viewing elsewhere... "The Leaving of Liverpool" We are pleased to advise that this 2-part video is now available for borrowing from the C-BERSs’ Library. It can also be purchased from Video Programme Sales ABC TV, GPO Box 994, Sydney 2001 for $175 including GST. Lost Children of the Empire: this video is available from local libraries.

 

 

 

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

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This newsletter was created by Chris Nicholson [me@chrisnicholson.org] for C-BERSS [cberss.org]

 

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