Table Of Contents

• Events Have Overtaken Us
• Minister Unveils Child Migrant Memorial
• Child Migrant Memorial Plaques
• Compensation Claims from Ireland
• Where To Now?
• A Good Cause For Celebration
• Joan Kerry Farewells Australia
• And We Say Goodbye .. and Thank You
• Back To Bindoon
• A Visit From Clan
• ISS Travel Fund
• Wanting Contact
• Memoirs
• Historical Photos

 

Events Have Overtaken Us A message from C-BERS Chairperson Dr Maria Harries AM Dear Readers of C-BERS EX-PRESS, This newsletter went to print BEFORE we learnt of the devastation that has rocked South East Asia in the wake of the Boxing Day Tsunami. In the light of these more recent events, the tone and content of my New Year’s message “A Good Cause for Celebration” seems somewhat less relevant now than it did when it was initially written. I’m sure many of you will feel some empathy for the plight and future of the (possibly hundreds of thousands of) children who have been left without parents, without family and without a stable home to grow up in, following on from the enormity of this international disaster. Perhaps we can all draw some hope (and perhaps there will indeed and eventually be “good cause for celebration” from the international response to the needs of these children) as a demonstration of just how much we have learnt of how best to respond to the more personal tragedies and hardships that have occurred in the past. I’m sure you all join with me in sending your prayers and/or well wishes to those children and survivors whose lives have been upturned by the events of the past few weeks. Dr Maria Harries (Chairperson), and all of us here at C-BERS Services

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Child Migrant Memorial Plaques Separate plaques are dedicated to children from Malta and from the UK. The inscription reads: This memorial is dedicated to the boys and girls who left their homeland to brave an unknown future in Western Australia. Hardships were endured, benefits were derived. These child migrants provided valuable contributions to Australian Society in diverse ways as parents, workers and citizens. Australia is better for their coming.

 

 

 

Compensation Claims from Ireland Many Former Child Migrants have asked C-BERS for clarification regarding recent notices which have appeared in the press about compensation for people formerly in institutional care in Ireland. The Government of the Republic of Ireland has set up a compensation scheme for those people who were in orphanages in the Republic and who were abused whilst in institutional care. On the whole, Former Child Migrants are not eligible for this scheme as most Irish Child Migrants were in care in the North of Ireland (which is governed by the British Government) and not in the South. Some Former Child Migrants who were born in the South were in convents with their mothers in the Republic of Ireland before being admitted to an orphanage either in the North or in England and Wales. These people would be considered to have been in the care of their mothers and not in institutional care. However, a very small handful of Former Child Migrants spent some time in Nazareth House, Sligo before migrating to Australia from a Nazareth House in the North. Sligo is in the Republic of Ireland and so, if ex-residents from this institution were abused whilst in care there, they may qualify for compensation from this scheme. The cut-off date for claims is December 2005, and medical proof of abuse is required. Newspaper articles about the Compensation Scheme refer to thousands of people in Australia being eligible. They are not, of course, referring to “thousands” of British Child Migrants (we know there were only 3 or 4 who were in care in Southern Ireland), but rather to those many thousands of people formerly in institutional care in Ireland who emigrated to Australia in adult life. Anyone who was in institutional care in the Republic of Ireland, who has evidence that they were abused there, and therefore feels they are eligible to claim compensation from this scheme, is advised to contact The Residential Institutions Redress Board on 1300 308 478 or visit their website www.rirb.ie

 

 

 

Where To Now? Outcomes from our September Planning Meeting After ten years of caring, sharing, supporting and changing with the times... “the Way Forward for C-BERS” was the focus of a planning meeting (followed by the compulsory “sausage sizzle”) at St Catherine’s College in September. The planning event was attended by about 60 C-BERS’ clients and their families, C-BERS staff, and management committee members. With lots of comments and suggestions for the future, the meeting proved to be a very successful and positive occasion, and thank you to the many people who added their voice to contribute to the charting of our future course. Our scribes documented all the comments and suggestions on butcher’s paper which were subsequently transcribed with accompanying action statements on how we might best, and most realistically, fulfil the suggestions that were offered to enable us to move forward as an organisation in line with our clients’ changing needs. The “get-together” also provided an opportunity to bid a fond farewell to Mary Kearns on her retirement from C-BERS. Mary was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers in appreciation for her great contribution to C-BERS over the past nine years. All who have benefited from her gentle care, competence and kindness wish her the happiest of well deserved retirement years ahead. Collage of Photos: “Listening, learning and Contributing” — more than 60 people took part in our C-BERS Planning Day at St Catherine’s College in September. Bottom Right: Gathering round for the celebratory sausage sizzle afterwards. Bottom Left: A beautiful bouquet, thank-you and goodbye to Mary Kearns who is leaving C-BERS after nine years.

 

 

 

A Good Cause For Celebration A New Year Message from C-BERS Chairperson Dr Maria Harries We had hoped to have this newsletter in your mailboxes before Christmas — but a last minute computer glitch interfered with our best of intentions. However, as the heading above suggests, perhaps there are as many good reasons to reflect on what we have to celebrate in our lives at the start of the new year as there are at year’s end. Anniversaries provide a wonderful opportunity, and occasion, to celebrate “the marking of a milestone” — this is where we are now, this is where we’ve come from, and this is where we’re heading to. All of us would wish, and are hopefully able, to celebrate the anniversary of our own birth, as well as the birth of significant others; perhaps also the anniversary of our unions through marriage and other strong bonds; and, sometimes, even the anniversary of a loved one’s death (as a celebration of the life they have lived). In the spirit, however, of celebrating milestones and in the process of reviewing previous editions of the C-BERS EX-PRESS newsletter, I was reminded of other anniversaries. For example, in January 2005 it is ten years since C-BERS was established by the Christian Brothers Order to provide some support and healing for those who were hurt by their experiences as former child migrants. December 2004 was the seventh anniversary of our own C-BERS news-letter providing a forum for you to share your stories with each other (and may I extend my congratulations to those who have had the courage to do so in support of others who may still be working to that point of reconciliation). Which is not to forget the anniversary that unites us all in shared celebration at this time of year. Beyond the commercialism of Christmas, this is a time when we also celebrate the birth of a remarkable man who offered us love and forgiveness beyond bitterness and vengeance for wrong-doing. May the same spirit of peace, healing and forgiveness live with you all at this time and throughout the coming year. God Bless — Maria

 

 

 

Joan Kerry Farewells Australia Joan Kerry has been in Australia on her last visit as Manager of the Australian Child Migrant Project. Joan’s work in locating and reuniting families separated by child migration has been an invaluable resource for C-BERS. In many instances where the search for family has seemed hopeless, Joan has persevered and managed to locate relatives for former child migrants. We would like to thank her, both for her tenacious research and her caring approach to her work. Joan has written the piece below for us: As I come to the end of my final visit to Catholic Former Child Migrants in Australia, I thought readers would like to know what the Australian Child Migrants Project based in the UK has achieved over the last three-plus years. The Project was set up in September 2001, mainly as a social work and family tracing service for those Former Child Migrants who were still searching for their families. Over 250 Former Child Migrants (around a quarter of all Catholic Child Migrants sent to Australia) have been in touch with the Project since then, and most have been helped in some way. Not only have I had requests to trace families but also requests to help patch up relationships with relatives who were going through difficult times. Illness and death in families obviously causes stress, both for the Former Child Migrants and for their relatives in the UK. Several people have asked me to make contact with sick relatives on their behalf. In addition, we have located many graves for Former Child Migrants and have supported them when they have visited to lay flowers on their parent’s last resting place. The Project’s first priority has always been to search for the families of those Former Child Migrants who have no contacts. Over the last three years, we have found 67 new families and have successfully reunited them with their missing relative. Some of these Former Child Migrants have been searching for over 30 years! Most of these reunions have been with newly found brothers and sisters, but we have also assisted in reunions with three mothers who were still alive. The success of these reunions has been largely due to the preparation beforehand and the efforts made by both the Former Child Migrant and their family to get to know each other first before rushing into a meeting. We continue to learn from each fresh situation as everyone’s family situation is different but we are very aware that reunions affect not only the Former Child Migrant but also every other member of their family, not just in the UK but also their wives, children and other relatives in Australia. Without careful preparation of all concerned and without support, reunions can and do go drastically wrong. It was with these issues in mind and to provide a resource to help those who may search for their families in the future that I have made two videos which illustrate the effect of reunification on other family members. My thanks go to all Former Child Migrants who helped in the making of these videos. The Australian Child Migrants Project comes to an end in September 2005 but a follow-up service for any new inquirers will have been put into place by then. My thanks go to all Former Child Migrants who have made me so welcome during the last three years and also to the staff of C-BERS and Catholic Migrant Centre in Perth and Centacare in Newcastle, NSW. By working together, I feel that we have managed to make some significant difference to the lives of many Former Child Migrants and their families. Joan Kerry

 

 

 

And We Say Goodbye .. and Thank You Joan Kerry’s final visit to Australia provided an opportunity for us at C-BERS to organise a get-together of supporters and well-wishers (that doubled as a Christmas function). The impact that Joan’s work has had on so many people’s lives was evident from the close to 80 people (as pictured above and below) who turned up to the event on Friday 10 December to express their personal thanks and bid Joan a heartfelt “Goodbye and Goodluck”.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

A Visit From Clan CLAN (Care Leavers Australia Network) members Leonie Sheedy and Lorna Manning met with C-BERS staff recently and spoke about their own life experiences and the work CLAN carries out. Leonie and Lorna are both ‘homies’ who went through the institutional child care system. They were in Perth for the launch of “Signposts”, a new information guide for people who have experienced out-of-home care. “Signposts” is now available at the C-BERS library, or on the Department of Community Development internet website at www.dcd.wa.gov.au Based in Sydney, CLAN is a national organisation and is the principal voice speaking on behalf of children who were placed in care. CLAN invites anyone who grew up in orphanages, children’s homes and foster care – regardless of county – to contact them. Their oldest member is 89 and the youngest 26. As the Coordinator of CLAN, Leonie Sheedy is the only paid staff member of the fledgling organisation. Leonie says CLAN hopes to broaden its operations, and would welcome input from any care leavers who would like to become involved in the strengthening the network. The telephone contact for CLAN in Perth is (08) 9255-4370, and their web address is www.clan.org.au And in the meantime…. On 10 December 2004, the Australian Government announced funding of $100,000 in 2005 to support the massive increase in demand for counseling services from CLAN.

 

 

 

ISS Travel Fund International Social Service (ISS) Travel Fund Deadline Approaches The Australian Travel Fund available through ISS is fast approaching. New applications must be received by 25 February 2005 Final dates for bookings by 22 April 2005 All travel completed by 30 June 2005 If you think you may be eligible for travel assistance to reunite with family of to visit a parent’s grave, contact C-BERS or the ISS on 1300 657 843 for further information.

 

 

 

Wanting Contact John ‘Spud’ Bending would like to get in touch with his old mate Karl Davies, or any other readers who remember him. John was at all four Christian Brothers institutions and he currently lives in Queensland. He hopes to visit Perth some time in the next few months. John can be contacted on (07) 3200 2648.

 

 

 

Memoirs “Ex-Home Boy’s Memoirs”, Termonbacca, Northern Ireland Former Child Migrants from Northern Ireland may be interested to know of a book recently published by an ex-Termonbacca resident. Brian Doherty who was born in 1947 was in Termonbacca for most of his childhood from 1950. He has spent the last 3 years researching the history of Nazareth House and has put together a collection of newspaper articles and photographs relating to the Nazareth houses in Derry. Brian, who is a window cleaner in London, has published his book “Ex Home Boy’s Memoirs. Fahan, Termonbacca and Nazareth House 1892-1982” at his own expense and can be justly proud of his achievement. Anyone wanting a copy of Brian’s book can contact him direct at Brian Doherty, 4 St. Mary Street, Woolwich, London. SE18 5AL. UK $30 should cover the cost of the book including postage and package. A copy of the book is also available for loan from the CBERS library.

 

 

 

Historical Photos Do you have any old photos that might not be on record? We would like to hear from anyone who has interesting photos or memorabilia from ‘the old days’ to contribute to the Historical Photo Project. Originated by Mike Hogan and Peter Bent, the project has photos of Tardun, Clontarf, Bindoon and Castledare from the Westcourt archives, which have been recorded onto a CD. Your original photos will be scanned in to a computer and the details recorded so we can produce a CD (or DVD) as an historical keepsake. Eddie Butler has generously offered to assist with production, and free copies of the final product will be available at C-BERS. If you would like to contribute photos or provide input for the Project, please contact Sue at C-BERS.

 

 

 

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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