The
Tuart Times
ISSUE 15: FEBRUARY 2018 ISSN: 2204-7646
MAKE REDRESS RIGHT Nine years ago, on the steps of Parliament House WA, hundreds of people gathered to protest a grievous wrong suffered by more than 5,000 care leavers - members of the Stolen Generations, the ‘Forgotten Australians’, and former child migrants from the UK and Malta. Redress WA began as a gold standard redress scheme when introduced by a Labor Government in 2008. It recognised the harms caused by all types of child abuse and neglect, in both institutional and foster care, and was open to former State Wards and non-Wards. However, in August 2009 - after 5,917 applications had been received - the scheme was derailed by a decision of the newly-elected Liberal Government to dramatically reduce the advertised payment levels. The maximum payment of $80,000 was lowered to $45,000, while the minimum payment was halved, from $10,000 to $5,000. Care leavers and their advocates campaigned against the Barnett government’s decision, and 11 August 2009 - on the steps of Parliament House in Perth Labor MPs fought hard for its reversal, condemning Top left: the late Laurie Humphreys JP, inaugural Chairperson of Forgotten the decision in Parliament as ‘heartless’, ‘brutal’, Australians Coming Together (FACT Inc), stands alongside his successor, ‘cruel’, ‘shameful’, and ‘disgraceful’. current FACT Chairperson Ron Love, at the first of the Redress WA rallies Nine years on, the sense of betrayal felt by Redress WA applicants has not faded, and is reignited each time redress or historic abuse is However, these important new developments will not be reported in the news - which is often. The announcement of a available to many Redress WA survivors, who are appealing to Commonwealth redress scheme, and changing civil litigation the State Government, as a matter of urgency, to resolve the laws across Australia, have kept the topic of redress in the ‘unfinished business’ of Redress WA first. headlines. .....Continued on page 3
Care leavers who keenly awaited the return of Labor in WA want the McGowan Government to ‘Make Redress Right’ by reinstating the original payment levels promised under the Redress WA scheme
Thank you! 22 November 2017: WA Attorney General John Quigley and Premier Mark McGowan (centre) walk into Parliament House in solidarity with survivors of child sexual abuse. The WA Government has introduced a Bill into Parliament to remove limitation periods within which a survivor of child sexual abuse must commence proceedings against those who have wronged them. When Parliament passes the Bill, victims of historical child sexual abuse will no longer be prevented by limitation periods from bringing civil claims seeking damages for the harm they have suffered. It is hoped that the Bill will be passed by Parliament in the first half of 2018. .....More on pages 2 & 4
Tuart Place commends the McGowan Government
on its strong commitment to justice and its great work towards removing the statutory limitation period on civil claims for child sexual abuse, which means that survivors will be able to claim damages for decades old offences, and not be restricted to the six-year period under current WA law. We also applaud the Premier’s willingness to consider the merits of the Commonwealth Government’s proposed redress scheme, and are heartened to hear that key considerations in the WA Government’s decision whether or not to opt in to such a scheme will be whether it is fair, accessible, and addresses the needs of Western Australian survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. As it stands, the Commonwealth Government’s
A matter of justice proposed model of redress is not fair or equitable, and would not adequately address the needs of many survivors who suffered secondary harm during the Redress WA scheme (2008-11). A considerable proportion of these survivors would not qualify for financial redress under the proposed Commonwealth model, nor would they benefit from amendments to civil litigation laws. Redress WA survivors are calling on the McGowan Government – as a first course of action – to fulfil the broken promise of Redress WA, and – as a matter of urgency – to Make Redress Right by reinstating the original levels of payment offered under the scheme.
Commonwealth Redress: What happened? It was always going to be a problem: announcing a redress scheme in which you don’t intend to fund the payments, and so far none of the past providers expected to pay claimants has signed up to the proposed Commonwealth scheme. Author Frank Golding and Associate Professor Jacqueline Wilson, both care leavers, describe the proposed Commonwealth redress scheme for institutional child sexual abuse as a Clayton’s scheme because the ‘opt-in’ funding model relies on all the state governments and non-government organisations to agree to fund payments through this particular process. One of the big problems with the scheme is that it only recognises sexual abuse, because it is based on the recommendations of a Royal Commission that focussed solely on this one type of abuse. Frank Golding has spoken of the disappointment among care leavers excluded from the Royal Commission by its terms of reference, which focussed narrowly on sexual abuse, yet included a diverse range of residential and nonresidential institutions. Unable to participate in the Royal Commission, care leavers who suffered other forms of abuse are now also left out of the nation-wide redress scheme recommended by the Commission. Redress expert Professor Kathy Daly points out that the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is the first example of a body established to investigate and make redress recommendations for
institutional abuse of children in both ‘closed’ (residential care) and ‘open’ settings (such as day schools and sporting organisations). She says that merging these two adult survivor groups - care leavers and non-care leavers - ignores the specific attributes of historical institutional abuse and makes it more difficult for survivors to achieve fair redress. As the scheme wobbles towards its commencement date in mid-2018, only a small proportion of survivors are expected to be able to apply, and at this stage it is only available to people who experienced child sexual abuse in a ‘Commonwealth institutional setting’. A ‘Commonwealth institutional setting’ is defined as an institution in which the Commonwealth employed minors (such as navy cadets at HMAS Leeuwin in WA), delivered activities for children, delivered state functions in the ACT and the Northern Territory before self-government, or held children in detention. Further barriers to the potential success of the Commonwealth scheme came to light in a recent announcement by the Federal Attorney General that certain categories of survivors will be unable to apply for financial redress under the scheme. To be eligible for a payment, the applicant must not have been sentenced to a prison term of five years or more for any crime, or convicted of a sex offence. See our story on page 5 for more information about this issue.
knowmore Legal Service to visit Tuart Place Prue Gregory is the Principal Lawyer with knowmore, the legal service contracted to provide legal advice to people who may be eligible to apply for the Commonwealth redress scheme. Prue is based in Sydney and is coming to Perth in February to talk with people about the Commonwealth scheme. At 1.00pm on Monday 26 February Prue will give a presentation at Tuart Place about the recommendation of the Royal Commission in its Redress and Civil Litigation Report in September 2015, for the establishment of a national redress scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Prue will talk about the several moves by the 2
Federal Government to address this recommendation from the initial plan put forward in January 2016 through to the Bill to set up a Commonwealth Redress Scheme presented to Parliament in late October 2017. She will go through the scheme as set out in the legislation and what it means for survivors. Prue will spend time talking about the issues for people living in Western Australia. On Wednesday 28 February Prue will hold a clinic at Tuart Place for people who would like to talk to her one-on -one about how the scheme might affect them.
MAKE REDRESS RIGHT Internationally, two financial redress schemes are recognised as being particularly harmful to care leavers: Nova Scotia’s scheme, described as ‘the best of intentions gone horribly wrong’ (Dr Gerald Cradock, 2016); and the Swedish redress scheme, in which 54% of the applications prepared by care leavers were rejected (Dr Johanna Sköld, 2016). Because of the scale of harm and number of people affected, Redress WA now joins these schemes in being ‘the world’s worst so far’. The main injury from Redress WA arose from the timing of a decision to dramatically reduce the advertised payment levels. Because this occurred after all applicants had fulfilled their obligations under the scheme, it was widely viewed as a betrayal and devaluation of people’s experiences. Applicants felt that if their suffering was important enough, the Barnett Government would have found the money to complete the scheme - as it did for other projects - and ‘honoured its part of the deal’. The recent Royal Commission heard from many witnesses harmed by Redress WA. The Commission’s report of Tracy’s story is one example: Tracy found the process ‘beyond’ re-traumatising and the result distressing. ‘Redress WA really damaged me so much.’ She hadn’t expected to get a lot of money, ‘but to be offered $5,000 – I felt that was an insult and I didn’t accept it.’ Tracy has spoken to many others who also had a very negative experience of Redress WA. ‘Some really bad things happened, especially to elders that were of the Stolen Generation.’ No help was given to fill out the application and the guidelines were misleading, she said. People were ‘tricked’ into applying for just the $5,000 minimum amount and two to three counselling sessions. FACT Chairperson Mr Ron Love, a care leaver, said that
for many people the redress cuts felt like a ‘kick in the teeth’. “Trust is a highly valued and scarce commodity among Forgotten Australians, because as children we learned that it’s not safe to trust. For all those people who put their trust in Redress WA, and were treated like that, it just confirmed what they already knew – that the system can’t be trusted”, Ron said. Tuart Place Director Dr Philippa White said the payment cuts were so shocking that people still remember where they were when they heard the news, and that applicants still say they ‘have never felt the same since Redress WA’. “As a service for care leavers we are obliged to convey this voice to those in power – institutions and governments. What happened here in WA was very wrong, it hurt thousands of vulnerable people, and it is largely unfinished business”, she said.
‘Make Redress Right’: A powerful short film In Issue 14 of The Tuart Times we asked our readers to let us know if they had something to say about the Redress WA scheme – good or bad – and if they would like to share their views in a video interview. The response was overwhelming and, sadly, we heard very few positive comments. The betrayal of the payment cuts was the main issue raised by the 24 interviewees, who also identified other problems, including: • Being unable to meet in person with redress staff (after Redress WA moved to a secret location);
Redress WA Facts Of the 5,917 people who submitted applications: • 10% were deemed ineligible • 51% were Aboriginal, 49% non-Aboriginal • 13% were former child migrants • 58% were between 51 and 105 years (in 2010) • 127 passed away during the scheme’s operation (2008-2011)
• Confusion over what documents were needed (after the Guidelines were changed); • Being caught off guard by an unexpected phone call from a Redress Officer asking for details of childhood abuse (the method used to gather further information in cases where a written application contained insufficient detail); • Lack of information about the assessment process (a matrix used to assess claims was not disclosed to applicants); and • Lengthy delays in the process (some applicants waited nearly four years for a payment offer). The result is a powerful short film – Make Redress Right – produced by talented film maker Dr Linda Blagg in collaboration with 24 interviewees, and was filmed at Tuart Place over a two-week period in August 2017. The film conveys the impacts of the Redress WA scheme and is available on the Tuart Place YouTube channel, at youtube.com/watch?v=lufMOYiwiJU
Interviewee Cevrina Reed, aged 6, prior to foster care
Film maker Dr Linda Blagg 3
! S S E PR
Statute of Limitations Update
New sexual abuse laws for WA coming in 2018 P O T S Thanks to personal injury lawyer Donna Percy for the following summary of key facts
about changes to our civil litigation laws currently being discussed in the WA Parliament.
The WA Government has proposed new laws which will assist Western Australians sexually abused as children to obtain proper compensation. If you were sexually abused in WA while under the age of 18 years, these new laws relate to you. It does not matter how long ago the sexual abuse occurred - the new laws will remove time limits for taking legal action against the institution which was responsible for your care and supervision when the abuse occurred. The proposed new laws only relate to child sexual abuse. If you were physically and emotionally abused but not sexually abused, the new laws do not apply to you. The new laws will allow victims of institutional child sexual abuse to bring a Court action to get compensation for pain and suffering and other losses arising from the sexual abuse. The usual Court rules that require you to prove the sexual abuse and your injury, will apply.
Scottish Abuse Inquiry Are you a former child migrant from Scotland? Tuart Place continues to play a key role in facilitating contact between former child migrants and the institutional abuse inquiries currently underway in England and Scotland. Via Skype and conference call facilities at Tuart Place, Scottish former child migrants can participate in regular conversations with Witness Support Officers in Scotland. People can also have conversations with Support Officers by phone or email. We are currently discussing arrangements for former child migrants to provide formal testimony to this Inquiry. Inquiry Secretary Julie-Anne Jamieson has submitted this notice for publication in The Tuart Times.
How to contact the Inquiry: • • • •
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By post to: PO BOX 24085, Edinburgh, EH7 9EA By email to: talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot By telephone at: 0800 0929 300 By contacting Tuart Place or another support service Further information can be found at www.childabuseinquiry.scot
If you have already received a payment from the institution, the Court will take the payment into account. If the Court decides it was not enough, it can order the institution to make a further ‘top up’ payment to you. In deciding how much compensation you should be paid, the Court will consider how much you received from Redress WA, as well as any previous payment from the institution. If you signed a Deed when you accepted a prior payment of compensation from the institution, you will have to apply to the Court to have the Deed set aside before you can commence your new claim for compensation through the Courts. In awarding compensation, the Court will look at how severe your physical and emotional injuries were and how badly your life has been affected. The new laws are expected to be finalised soon and passed through Parliament in the next few months. Tuart Place will publish further information when this happens.
A message from Scotland Former Child Migrants from Scotland are being encouraged to speak to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is an independent Inquiry chaired by senior Scottish judge, Rt Hon Lady Smith. The Inquiry is investigating the abuse of children in residential care in Scotland, or children whose care was arranged in Scotland, any time within living memory of anyone who suffered such abuse, up to December 2014. This includes the experiences of former child migrants. The Inquiry is considering different types of abuse, including physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse. It will also investigate the impact of abuse on individuals and their families. The Inquiry would like to hear from former child migrants from Scotland who have relevant information to tell of their experiences of abuse or witnessing abuse. This will help form a picture of what happened to children cared for by the state or had care arranged by the state. It can be difficult and very emotional for people to tell the Inquiry about their experiences. The Inquiry’s witness support team help anyone giving evidence to the Inquiry and can answer any questions they may have. The team is here to help and support people so that they feel safe when they speak to the Inquiry.
New barriers to Commonwealth redress scheme It seems reasonable to expect that, at the very least, a redress scheme will do no further harm to its participants The most unfortunate outcome of the Commonwealth redress scheme so far is that it has raised false hopes among survivors of institutional child abuse. The Federal Government’s announcement of a scheme that relies on other entities to fund most of the payments has been described as ‘a kiss and then a slap’. Ongoing media reporting of the Government’s scheme has led survivors to think that the scheme will be available to them in the near future, however, to date, none of the past providers expected to pay for the scheme have agreed to participate, and there is no indication that they intend to do so. This unhappy situation deteriorated further on 26 October 2017, when the Federal Attorney General announced plans to exclude people from the Commonwealth redress scheme if they have been convicted of sex offences, or sentenced to prison terms of five years or more for crimes such homicide, fraud, and drug offences. We sought feedback on this announcement from the ‘Inquiry Network’ - an international community of experts on redress, asking members what they thought of the idea, and whether anyone knew of a precedent for excluding categories of applicants based on criteria such as criminal history. Inquiry Network experts in Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, and Australian academics in Queensland and Victoria responded to these questions, and were unanimously opposed to the idea of excluding redress applicants on the basis of criminal history. Dr Stephen Winter of the University of Auckland wrote: “…I would think it is a bad idea. There are many reasons to have a redress scheme, but it would require a very good argument to demonstrate why actions that occurred subsequent to someone suffering abuse would disqualify them from receiving compensation for having been abused.” Samina Karim of Strathclyde University is currently reviewing redress schemes around the world and has not encountered any that exclude offenders. She wrote: “…having undertaken doctoral research with victims/survivors of abuse in care, some of whom later became part of the criminal justice system, it became quite evident that the legacy of the abuse had
a significant impact on their life trajectory. Therefore, to exclude individuals due to offending behaviour would essentially add to the impact of abuse and extend its legacy, reinforcing the exercise of power in limiting ways - towards those who have already suffered.” Other Inquiry Network experts described the idea as very sad, shameful, intuitively wrong, a disgrace, a totally political decision, double punishment of victims, and demonstrating a lack of appreciation of the legacies of victimisation. Apart from potential cost savings, it is difficult to identify any basis for a policy that selectively includes or excludes applicants, based on categories of adult social behaviour. The views of Inquiry Network members will be conveyed to the Australian Government in Tuart Place’s forthcoming submission to a Senate Committee on the Commonwealth redress scheme, in which we will advocate for a model of redress that does not arbitrarily exclude particular categories of survivors. Tuart Place’s Senate submission will also comment more broadly on the capacity for redress schemes to cause secondary harm to the participants, citing two overseas examples: Nova Scotia’s scheme, described as ‘the best of intentions gone horribly wrong’ (Dr Gerald Cradock, 2016); and Sweden’s redress scheme, in which 54% of the applications prepared by care leavers were rejected (Dr Johanna Sköld, 2016). A third example is the halving of payments in the Redress WA scheme in 2009, after the application period had closed, which adversely affected thousands of Western Australian care leavers. Achieving fairness and equity for survivors was the main purpose of the Royal Commission’s recommendation for a national redress scheme, and a consistent model of redress across Australia is something we all want. However, the model of redress currently proposed for the Commonwealth scheme seems destined to cause distress to some of the worst affected victims of child abuse in Australia’s institutions. At the very least, it seems reasonable to expect that a redress scheme will be ‘trauma informed’ and cause no further harm to its participants.
The Wednesday Morning Support Group ‘Safe’, ‘No pressure’, ‘A great help’ People attending the Wednesday morning group say it’s a very friendly and supportive place to chat and meet others who’ve had similar experiences: “I just feel comfortable here, there’s no pressure. It’s a really safe environment. You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. You can just sit and listen and you slowly get your confidence. I was very quiet when I first started coming and now I don’t stop talking!” “The support group has been a great help to me. As we got going, we got more confident, we opened up more and shared more of our real feelings and that was a big, big help for me.” Keeping a positive outlook and feeling confident can be difficult when you’ve had bad things happen in childhood.
As we get older we tend to reflect back on our lives and traumatic memories can surface. This is quite normal, and very common in situations where childhood trauma is triggered by present-day events. Susy, the group facilitator provides an easy-going environment where discussion and support go with Susy Vaughan hand-in-hand. New members are always welcome and the relaxed, informal sessions include practical tips and ideas to use in everyday life. Every Wednesday 10.30am – 12pm. Come for a cuppa at 10am and stay for lunch at 12 noon 5
In September 2017 Tuart Place hosted the WA State Records Workshop for the Setting the Record Straight for the Rights of the Child (SRSRC) initiative, following our participation in a national records Summit held in Melbourne last May. At the WA State Workshop (L-R): Workshop Co-convenor Dr Joanne Evans (ARC The WA workshop evolved into a ‘miniFuture Fellow at Monash University), Dr Philippa White (Director, Tuart Place), summit’, and was attended by 85 participants, Elly Jones (CREATE Community Facilitator), Lily (Young Consultant), Jim Morrison including care leavers, major government and (Executive Director, Bringing Them Home WA) and Marlene Jackamarra (Stolen non-government record holders in WA, senior Generations survivor and advocate) bureaucrats, archivists, service providers and academics. emerged, and urgent reform is needed. Launching the Workshop at the A principal issue identified at the workshop was the Esplanade Conference and Events Centre in Fremantle, Commissioner Andrew Murray of the Royal Commission into unsuitability of Freedom of Information legislation as a model Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse emphasised the for releasing records to care leavers. Follow-up discussions central importance of records in seeking justice for past and with the Department of Communities since the workshop have focussed on this issue, and the possibility of using present care leavers, and in people’s sense of identity. Keynote speaker the Honourable Simone McGurk different guidelines for releasing this category of records. Tuart Place is now facilitating a ‘Virtual Records MLA identified systemic problems with institutional records, including limited access and lost or destroyed records, and Lobby Group’ of 122 stakeholders. This large and influential reinforced the view that, as a starting point, recordkeeping and collective may provide a mechanism for promoting and archiving activities must not cause harm. Improvements are supporting change in the records sector. Since the Workshop Tuart Place has also had needed to the way in which records are captured, recorded, archived and made available – and children must be at the discussions with the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG), which holds the records centre of decision-making for these activities. Speakers representing four groups – the Stolen for the former St Joseph’s orphanage and Catherine McAuley Generations, former child migrants, Forgotten Australians and Centre. We commend ISMAPNG for making substantial younger care leavers – spoke of difficulties they encountered changes to their records-release protocols, which are now when seeking personal files. It became clear that while some consistent with the DSS Best Practice Guidelines in providing things have improved over time, different problems have access to records for care leavers.
Setting the Record Straight for the Rights of the Child on YouTube Many thanks to Media Course Coordinator Michael McCall and his Film and Screen Production students at Notre Dame University, who video recorded the WA Workshop for Setting the Record Straight for the Rights of the Child in Fremantle on 4 September 2017. A skilfully edited 10-minute video and a full version of the 3-hour workshop are both available on the
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PHOTO: Singer/Songwriter/Care Leaver Rose Parker
Tuart Place YouTube channel youtube.com/watch?v=SEL_ R2ZuwkM&t=27s One of the highlights of the 3-hour version is right at the start, when singer/songwriter Rose Parker performs her powerful song ‘The Long Journey Home’, which she also performed at the WA ceremony to acknowledge the 2009 National Apology to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants. National Summit on YouTube: A 5-minute video summary of the key issues raised at the SRSRC National Summit held in Melbourne on 8-9 May 2017 is available on the Monash University website rights-records.it.monash.edu/ and directly on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=Wy2O1uPt8Pc
What is CREATE Foundation? CREATE Foundation is the national peak body representing the voices of children in care and young care leavers (including kinship care, foster care and residential care). CREATE provides programs and services to children and young people (up to the age of 26) who have a statutory care experience, and develops policy and research to advocate for a better care system.
CREATE Foundation in WA
CREATE WA State Coordinator Sarah Lewis is a Youth Worker who has been involved in the youth sector for more than 15 years, working with issues such as housing and homelessness, regional community development, and teaching at TAFE. When Sarah met with the team at Tuart Place in October 2017 we discussed the ways in which our organisations can work together to advocate for better outcomes for all care leavers – in areas such as improving access to personal records, and breaking down social isolation. In working with CREATE and other organisations representing care leavers, such as Find & Connect and Bringing Them Home, we have a more powerful voice with which to seek a better deal for people of all ages with lived experience of out-of-home care.
CREATE Young Consultants A number of people who attended the WA State Workshop for Setting the Record Straight for the Rights of the Child (see opposite) commented on the inspiring presentations by CREATE WA Young Consultants Andre (21) and Lily (19). Young Consultants are young people with a care experience who have completed CREATE’s leadership training, Speak Up. There are three levels to the training and both Andre and Lily have completed all three levels. A Young Consultant Working Group meets regularly
with the Department of Communities - Child Protection and Family Support in WA to discuss priority issues for children and young people with a care experience. The group has been working together to create a flow chart and FAQ to make accessing records and files easier for young people in care and care leavers. The final documents are available at dcp.wa.gov.au/…/Pages/ Access-to-Information.aspx
The Home Stretch campaign Young people in state care should have a place they call home until the age of 21 Many older care leavers talk about leaving care (often at 16) as the hardest time of all. Even if they couldn’t wait to leave the institution, nothing prepared them for life outside it. Suddenly there was no routine, no familiar faces, no support. People describe not knowing how to use a public telephone, catch a bus or open a bank account. Much has changed over the years, but for today’s young people, leaving care at 18 can still be devastating, and within a year, 50% of state care leavers will be unemployed, in jail, homeless or become a new parent. The Home Stretch initiative encourages all state and territory governments to provide an option whereby out-of-home care can be extended to any young person needing or seeking this, until 21 years of age.
Providing young people in state care with an extended care option will give them the platform to make the right start in life and enjoy better long-term life outcomes. Older care leavers often tell us that their greatest wish is for the mistakes of the past not to be repeated with today’s children and young people. You can help achieve this goal by supporting the Home Stretch campaign. Visit the website at www.thehomestretch.org.au to find out more. 7
News from the Clontarf Old Boys Heritage Committee Thanks to Kevin Collins for letting us know that Clontarf Old Boys and their families are welcome to visit the campus, which is now the Clontarf Aboriginal College. If you would like to arrange a visit, please call Clontarf Deputy Principal Jim Lawson on (08) 9251-0666. Our photo shows Kevin (on far right) with fellow Clontarf Old Boys and Committee members at the most recent annual Michael Bowman memorial gathering, held on 15 December 2017. This event is held each year at Michael Bowman’s gravesite at Clontarf Twelve-year-old Michael was killed in the Clontarf bus crash of 1955, in which many boys were seriously injured (see Plaque 1 of the Clontarf Heritage Trail). Thanks to Ron Love for the photo.
The Tardun Old Boys’ annual family barbecue held at the Waterford Playing Field Clubrooms on 22 October 2017
Photos courtesy of TOBA Inc. Pre-war child migrants Wilfred Cox, Tony Page & Tom Haydon
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Keith Spencer (Pres), Frank Marshall (Vice) & Harry Aubrey
Congratulations Ron Love Congratulations to FACT Chairperson Ron Love on being First RunnerUp Self Help and Support Group Champion in the ConnectGroups 2017 Support Groups Recognition and Good Practice Awards. Ron is indeed a Champion, and this year he has, once again, led the way in initiating and strengthening links with external organisations and community groups; and promoting care leavers’ interests at public awareness-raising initiatives and expos. Ron reaches a wide readership with his two-monthly publication, ‘Ron’s Gazette’, which is also posted on the Tuart Place website at tuartplace.org/news-events/rons-gazette/ We are very fortunate to have Ron Love as our Chairperson, and his commitment to Tuart Place and the wellbeing of Forgotten Australians is unfailing. PHOTO: Ron receiving his award from Hon Simone McGurk MLA
Jim Morrison awarded John Curtin Medal Congratulations Jim Morrison, Executive Director of Bringing Them Home WA, on receiving Curtin University’s highest non-academic award, the John Curtin Medal, in recognition of his vision and leadership. Jim is a senior Nyungar man, a Traditional Custodian from WA’s southern coast. His mother, father, and their 21 siblings were all stolen and separated as children. Jim is a long-term supporter of Bringing Them Home WA, and served as Aboriginal Co-Chair 2007-2017. He resigned that role to take up the appointment as the inaugural Executive Director. Jim has been a tireless activist, advocate and leader in pivotal Aboriginal advancement roles for over four decades, working passionately to address: the tragic mental health and suicide issues that are a legacy of Stolen Generations policy; equity in access to culturally safe services in State and Commonwealth Governments; overdue prison reforms; Aboriginal employment; education and training; equity in universities; the protection of young street people; and the formation and management of non-government agencies providing services to Aboriginal families and their broader communities. Jim is also an important advocate for the Make
Jim with Curtin University Vice Chancellor Deborah Kerry at the awards ceremony in October 2017 Redress Right campaign. Given that 51% of Redress WA applicants were Aboriginal people, Jim provides a key source of support for many of those harmed by the Redress WA process.
Tuart Place to join Northern Ireland’s Panel of Experts on Redress Negotiations are continuing with Northern Ireland’s leaders regarding the recommendations for financial redress made by the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIAI) in January 2017. Frustratingly, none of the Inquiry’s recommendations have so far been implemented, due to the collapse of Northern Ireland’s Parliament early last year. Tuart Place was recently invited to join the ‘Panel
of Experts on Redress’, which is negotiating with the Executive Office (TEO) in Northern Ireland. Tuart Place’s membership of the Panel will enable former child migrants from Northern Ireland living in Australia to have a voice in the negotiations. Tuart Place will be working with the Tardun Old Boys’ Association to enable a wider group of Northern Irish former child migrants to take part in the process. 9
There’s no place like Home
Like many people, Derek Smith feels a strong connection to his childhood home, which in Derek’s case was the Kingsley Fairbridge Farm School in Pinjarra. It was the place where he grew up, and it holds his childhood memories - both good and bad. As President of the Old Fairbridgians Association (WA), Derek plays an active role in sourcing historic personal records for former ‘Fairbridge Kids’ and their descendants. Derek and his colleagues work hard to preserve the history of the Fairbridge Farm School, and meet regularly to discuss matters relating to the Association, and the running of the Fairbridge Museum. Most weekends they are on-site showing tourists around the historic site at Pinjarra. Derek says the first question many tourists ask is: “Were you sexually abused?”. Not surprisingly, Derek and his colleagues find this question offensive. He says: “We know that very serious sexual abuse and other kinds of abuse and neglect occurred at Kingsley Fairbridge Farm School, but is that all people are interested in? Would they like their childhoods reduced to that? We’re not pretending abuse didn’t happen, we are seeking to preserve the broader history of the place – good and bad – because it is an amazing story and a remarkable piece of history with some very diverse and wonderful outcomes”. Derek lived in Kitchener Cottage from the age of 8 to 16 years, and during a recent visit to Fairbridge he showed us Kitchener and other cottages re-modelled as holiday
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(L-R) Alan Deverell (Committee Member/Museum Coordinator), Richard Hinch (Vice President) and Derek Smith (President, OFA)
accommodation, which remain largely as they were ‘back in the day’. The timber cottages are sparsely furnished, and you could imagine what they would have been like on winter mornings. Cold. Derek remembers the cold mornings, but he also remembers growing up surrounded by friends, who became like brothers and sisters, in a place they loved, and still do. Derek and his Committee’s current goal is to find a historian/writer to collate a history of the Kingsley Fairbridge Farm School WA (1913-61). If you can help, please contact Derek (08) 9337-5685 or email fairbridgewa@gmail.com
To my Tuart Place Family from Paddy Cannon Thank you all for making our lives better. We members care about each other. We look out for each other. Over the years we have had a lot of joy and fun. I pay tribute to the late Laurie Humphreys and the Founding Members of FACT: Jeanne Costello - our first Secretary, Peter Bent, Edward Cogan, Yvonne Radzevicius, Frankie Atkinson, Anthony Brennan, Gordon Grant, Prof Maria Harries AM, Ian Carter AM, Dr Marilyn Rock; and others working towards the same vision: Terry Humphreys, Ann McVeigh, Sheilagh Pearce… They got together to help all our boys and girls to come to terms with our plight - the First Australians, the child migrants and the Forgotten Australians. Special thanks to all the staff and volunteers at Tuart Place, now and over the years - without your help I wonder how we would have got anywhere with it at all. Thank you Ron Love for your great work with our members. It has not been easy for you, caring full-time for your mother these past years. Special thanks to Commissioner Andrew Murray for his years of work for all Care Leavers. It all came to a head at the Australian Apology in 2009 in Canberra. I was one of many Forgotten Australians and former child migrants who attended that Apology. The work goes on for all of us. Please stay strong. Yours, Paddy Cannon. December 2017.
Revisiting
Percy shows where the bread was baked in the old Tardun bakery
Thanks Percy! Many thanks to Percy Faulkner for his great hospitality when we visited Tardun in September 2017. Percy, a former Tardun resident, is now caretaker of the property and is happy to show visitors around the site. Percy lived at Tardun from 1953 to 1961 and has a wealth of knowledge about the history of Tardun and its various buildings. If you would like to visit, please call Percy on (08) 9961-5276. We love this great photo of Percy with Country & Western legend Slim Dusty, taken during Percy’s shearing days.
Gordon Grant and Ian Donaldson both lived at Bindoon Orphanage as children, and revisited the site in December 2017 Bindoon to pay their respects to the late Brian Duncan. Brian was Ian’s best friend as a child, and is buried at Bindoon alongside five other former residents. As young children Brian and Ian both lived at Nazareth House in Aberdeen, Scotland, before being sent to Australia under the child migration scheme in 1954, aboard the ‘Otranto’. Brian died at the age of 13 in a vehicle accident while working at Bindoon. Ian witnessed the traumatic accident, and has never forgotten it, nor his childhood friend. Both Gordon and Ian have bad memories of their time at Bindoon, but were glad to have revisited the site and paid their respects to Brian. Gordon and Ian’s visit was hosted by Mrs Marie Barton, Principal of the present-day school, now known as Edmund Rice College, which has 65 staff and approximately 160 students. Edmund Rice College is open to visitors by appointment during the school holidays. If you would like to book a visit, contact the College on (08) 9576-5500, or email admin@erc.edu.au 11
Friends forever PHOTO - Left to Right At the Neerkol Memorial Garden in September 2017: Monica Cosby (nee Duff) Patricia Keleher (nee Davies Patsy Weekers (nee Barratt)
In 1950, Patsy Barratt (5), Patsy Davies (5) and Monica Duff (13) were sent from England under the Child Migration Scheme to live at Neerkol Orphanage, 22km West of Rockhampton in Queensland. Monica spent four years at Neerkol, while the two Patsys remained there until they turned 18. After leaving Neerkol, the girls went their separate ways, had families of their own and lost contact with one another until 1995 when they were reunited in Rockhampton. Since then they have celebrated 50 and 60 years in Australia and are now ‘friends forever’.
The two Patsys were there to help Monica celebrate her 80th birthday in September 2017, when most of those present also went out to visit the Neerkol Memorial Garden. The Children’s Memorial Garden Neerkol was officially opened in March 2016, as a tribute to all those who walked the land at Neerkol, especially those children who passed away there. Many thanks to the two Patsys for sending us this story and belated 80th birthday wishes Monica! Thanks also to Patsy (Patricia) Keleher for her unfailing support of Tuart Place over the years.
Tuart Place Social Activities Group: Going from strength to strength The Tuart Place Social Activities Group (SAG), established in early 2015 and led by Mike Carroll, is a central pillar of participant leadership at Tuart Place. SAG continued its extremely successful fundraising ventures last year, which directly benefit Tuart Place participants. In addition to funding the annual weekend gathering at Moore River, in 2017 SAG purchased a blood pressure monitor for Tuart Place, the use of which was ably coordinated by FACT Board member Eddie Cogan (get well soon Eddie – we miss you!). Other SAG initiatives include the installation of a
The team at Bunnings in September 2017, with winner of the hamper raffle, Ilijah (centre)
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Mike, Dennis & Kevin, having just installed Laurie’s plaque
plaque honouring FACT’s founding Chairperson, the late Laurie Humphreys JP; and the purchase of a PA system. When carrying out fundraising activities in the community, SAG members never miss an opportunity to spread the word about Forgotten Australians and Tuart Place. SAG would like to thank everyone who donated items for the hamper raffle at the Bunnings fundraisers this year, and of course the legendary Tony Galati, for donating onions for the sausage sizzles. The next all day sausage sizzles at Bunnings O’Connor are on Saturday 24 March and Saturday 2 June 2018
Tuart Place Christmas Party 2017 by Program Coordinator Jo Hocking More than 120 guests attended the Tuart Place Christmas party on 4 December, enjoying the fun, laughter and music. A brass plaque honouring Laurie Humphreys was unveiled during the formalities by Laurie’s widow Frankie, who was awarded a lifetime membership of FACT. Laurie’s plaque was commissioned, funded and installed by the Tuart Place Social Activities Group (SAG). It was wonderful to have 11 of our 13 current external volunteers present at the party and they were well recognised by Cevrina and Ron with certificates and a small gift as a token of appreciation for the significant contributions they make to Tuart Place. This year’s Terry Humphreys Award was shared by the Tuart Place ‘craft ladies’, Vera Fare, Rosie Kruger, Patti Wenman and Elizabeth Tassell. Warm congratulations to all.
Congratulations Ray and Joan Congratulations to Ray and Joan Chapple, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August 2017. Ray, who spent time at the Salvation Army Boys Home as a child, met his lovely Joan at the Beaconsfield movie theatre in 1954, and married her in Fremantle in 1957. Ray and Joan have four daughters, 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. What a fantastic team!
Tuart Place participant Rob Eddy has drawn attention to the risks of high medical bills when you need extra medical tests and x-rays. Ask your doctor to refer you to a public hospital or radiology centre that will bulk bill, or search yourself for the closest bulk billing providers to your suburb. Go to the website 1800bulkbill.com.au/ and tick medical, pathology or radiology centres, or phone 1800 285 524 for information. Rob would also like people to know that if you have a chronic medical condition (such as ongoing back
Health Matters pain), you may be able to access up to five Medicare-rebated allied health treatments (such as physiotherapy or chiropractic) per calendar year. To find out more, ask your GP if you are eligible for this service. Thanks Rob!
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ConnectGroups Expo 2017 by FACT Chairperson Ron Love Tuart Place was once again well represented at the ConnectGroups National Awareness Day at the Perth Cultural Centre on 31 October 2017. A group of dedicated volunteers happily offered important information to members of the community and other organisations at this annual event. The information we share raises community awareness about FACT Inc, Tuart Place, and issues affecting care leavers. Well done team!
PHOTO (L-R): John, Dave, Lyn and me at the 2017 ConnectGroups Expo
Did you make a victim submission to the Royal Commission?
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Are you interested in talking about what this experience was like? You are invited to participate in a research study being conducted by Rebecca Moran, a PhD student at Western Sydney University. The study seeks to understand people’s experiences of making a victim submission (written, verbal or both) to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The study is focused on how you felt and feel about providing testimony, the impact of the experience on you, and the difference that you think or hope your testimony will make – on you, and on society. If you are interested in being interviewed about your experience of telling your story to the Royal Commission,
please contact Rebecca for more information by emailing r.moran@westernsydney.edu.au Participation is entirely voluntary and confidential. Your interview will take around two hours, and can be in person, or via telephone or Skype if you prefer. Participating in this research project is intended to be a validating and safe experience for you, and it is hoped that you will find it helpful to reflect on the experience of telling your story to the Royal Commission. Please feel free to share this information with anyone you know who may be interested in participating. This study has been approved by the Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval number H12332).
12th annual end-of-year barbecue at Waterford
It’s become a tradition – every year at the Waterford barbecue we all gather in the sports stand for a group photo – and in 2017 the tradition continued. About 70 people came to the Waterford playing fields for this annual get-together on Sunday 19 November 2017. It was a lovely day and great to see so many people there. Two raffles were held, and a big thank
you to Ian Donaldson for donating two of his hand-made windmills and to the craft ladies - Elizabeth, Rose, Pat and Vera - who did such a great job making and wrapping prizes. The $440 raised in the raffles was put towards the Christmas Party at Tuart place on 4 December. Thanks everyone who helped make the day such a great success.
Doing our bit in the local community Tuart Place welcomed 13 students from the Fremantle Education Centre in August and September 2017. All the students were completing a Certificate IV in Community Services and visiting Tuart Place gave them a chance to fulfil a practical course requirement. Groups of Tuart Place participants talked with the students about issues affecting care leavers. Samantha Holtham, a lecturer at the Centre, accompanied small groups of students to Tuart Place on three different Mondays and said the students gained much valuable experience and really appreciated the warm welcome they received.
Ageing happens to all of us and part of the process is Life satisfaction surveys reviewing your life and, hopefully, coming to terms with it. Whether life has been smooth sailing or a series of struggles, you have survived this far, and learned some things about and Gail develop a relevant and interesting group program for over 60s. yourself and the world. A potential outcome for participants Dion and Gail are social workers is to write the story of their lives in who want to understand some of the life ways that strengthen them, affirm If you are reading this online, conditions that have affected people. their efforts, acknowledge mistakes, please click on the links below to They are asking people aged and celebrate the fact that we are all over 60, from all walks of life, to respond complete the anonymous surveys: still here. to five very short online surveys asking a surveymonkey.com/r/W5NS7DZ The surveys are online - If range of questions about ageing, work, surveymonkey.com/r/Q962RPR you don’t have a computer at home, relationships, families and health and surveymonkey.com/r/JHZY9K9 feel free to use the Tuart Place wellbeing. surveymonkey.com/r/Q8WTTTF computer lab. These anonymous surveys will surveymonkey.com/r/Q3W22XR gather relevant local data to help Dion 15
What’s on at Tuart Place Free Dental Checkups at Tuart Place: Monday 2 July 2018
Family members welcome to attend The wonderful Kimberley Dental Team returns to Tuart Place for another round of free dental check-ups on the morning of Monday 2 July, from 9.00am. Tuart Place is extremely fortunate to host visits by KDT, which was founded in 2009 by husband and wife team, Dr
John and Jan Owen. Find out more about the great work of KDT at their website: kimberleydentalteam.com/ Contact Vicky to book your spot or just turn up on the day. This service is open to family members. Dr John and Jan Owen with Craig the Croc
Citizens Advice Bureau @ TP on 19 March The Citizens Advice Bureau of WA (CAB) is an independent, not for profit organisation providing information and referral, low cost legal services and mediation. The service is available to all and is free of charge. CAB’s CEO Kathryn Lawrence will be at
Podiatry clinic at Tuart Place Tuart Place hosted a podiatry clinic in August last year, when students from the University of Western Australia and their Supervisor spent an afternoon providing free basic foot assessments and advice to participants. The visit was a huge success and a second clinic is scheduled for 1pm on Monday 7 May 2018. Free follow-up appointments are also available at the UWA Podiatry Clinic located at the Corner of Park and Crawley Avenues, Crawley. Please ring Vicky on 6140 2380, or email admin@ tuartplace.org to put your name on the list, or just call in at Tuart Place on 7 May.
PHOTO: Podiatry students with their Supervisor, Assoc Professor 16
Michael Wilding, Head of the UWA Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Division, with Pip and Dave at Tuart Place in August 2017.
Tuart Place on Monday 19th March to provide some general information about the type of work they do and how they can help. Kathryn will also respond to any questions you might have or issues you might like to raise Monday 19 March from 12.45pm
Group Getaway to Moore River Friday 20 April to Sunday April 22, 2018
This year’s trip to Moore River is for two nights: from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd April 2018, staying at Tuppin House, overlooking the Moore River. The cost per person is only $40 (for food). Accommodation fees are paid by SAG – the Tuart Place Social Activities Group, with funds raised at their very successful Bunnings sausage sizzles. This is your chance to relax and get away from it all while enjoying the company of others. Take time for yourself while you’re there, or join in the group activities. To book, please send a cheque or money order for $40.00 per person to Jo at Tuart Place. Places are limited, please pay by Wednesday 21 March to confirm your spot. For further information about the trip, contact John Ryall on 0448-074-536.
Banjo Paterson: His life and times David Broadfoot and Jono Farmer, two young bards from Glyde-In Community Centre in East Fremantle will be at Tuart Place at 1.00pm on Monday 12 February to present: Banjo Paterson: His life and times. No one has captured the spirit of the bush and early 20th century Australia quite like Andrew Barton ‘Banjo’ Paterson. His endearing characters come alive through his many ballads and prose. Let’s go back in time and meet some of these characters and their exploits in this interactive story-telling presentation embracing the poet, his way of life and the period.
Happy Spine with Dr Janene Troy
Good spinal health means good balance and posture, and pain-free movement. Learn what happens to your spine with age, and about common spinal conditions in older adults.
Take home five simple exercises to keep you flexible and more spritely. Chiropractor Dr Janene Troy will present Happy Spine at Tuart Place at 1.00pm on Monday 23 April
Aged care matters Care Leavers are defined as a ‘Diverse Needs Group’ in regard to aged care services. What does this mean? Rebecca McIlroy, Acting Director of Aged Care Branch in the Commonwealth Department of Health, and Roslyn
Smith, Team Leader Aged Care Branch) will be at Tuart Place at 1.00pm on Monday 19 February to talk about aged care options and issues. Rebecca and Rosyln are also happy to answer any questions you may have.
Crafty Thursdays - Every second Thursday, from 11am Feeling crafty? Why not come along and join in the every-second-
Thursday craft sessions at Tuart Place. You can bring your own craft ideas or help out with team projects. A recent project by Vera’s group was collecting and wrapping prizes for the very successful end-of-year raffles, which raised funds for events and gatherings. A big thank you to Vera and the team - your kindness and generosity is much appreciated. (Also thanks to Ian for his great windmills). PHOTO (L-R): Vera, Patti, Rose & Elizabeth were joint wnners of the 2017 Terry Humphreys Award, for their outstanding contribution to Tuart Palce
Computers: Get in the know with Jo and her team
Program Coordinator Jo Hocking
Whatever your skill level (even if you’ve never turned on a computer before) you can get individual help. Use the computer room, or bring in your iPad, mobile phone or digital camera and learn to browse the internet, send emails, scan photos and shop online. Please call to book in with one of Jo’s computer volunteers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10.30-1pm. 17
Family tracing with Lesley
WHAT’S ON? REGULAR EVENTS • Every Monday: Singing group 10.30am-12 noon & the Big Monday Lunch at noon • Every Monday: Counselling sessions available with psychotherapist Gordon Paton, by appointment • Every Monday: Computers & mobile phone help with Jo’s team 10.30am-1pm • Every Wednesday: Susy’s Support Group 10.15am-12 noon • Every Wednesday: Computers & mobile phone help with Jo’s team 10.30am - 12 noon • Every Thursday: Computers & mobile phone help with Jo’s team 10.30am - 12 noon • Every Month: Family history and tracing with WA Genealogical Society expert Dr Lesley Silvester. 12.30-4.30pm, by appointment. • Every 8 weeks: Free legal advice with lawyer Gary Dean. 1-4pm, by appointment. • Every 5 weeks: Free men’s haircuts with Jacqi. On Mondays from 1pm.
Free legal advice at Tuart Place With lawyer Gary Dean, by appointment. Call Vicky to book a consultation to discuss any general legal concerns or questions. Phone consults also available. Next sessions in 2018: • Monday 12 Feb 1–4.00pm • Monday 16 April 1–4.00pm • Monday 18 June 1–4.00pm
What happens at Tuart Place? Tuart Place is the State funded service for former child migrants, ‘Forgotten Australians’ and members of the Stolen Generations. Tuart Place provides individual counselling, telephone counselling, support groups, social activities, assistance with historic abuse complaints, volunteering opportunities, computer skills classes, visiting health & legal services, family tracing, assistance to access records, and help in dealing with other agencies. 18
Dr Lesley Silvester, our family tracing expert from the WA Genealogical Society (WAGS), visits Tuart Place each month to help people find out more about their family histories. Lesley and her husband Mike also run ‘Time Trackers’, a busy genealogical firm that conducts family history research and specialises in British and Australian family history. Contact Vicky at Reception to book a one-hour session with Lesley on a Monday afternoon. This service is free of charge.
Next Monday afternoon sessions in 2018: 19 February, 19 March, 16 April, 21 May, 18 June, 16 July
Who funds Tuart Place?
Tuart Place receives its core funding from the WA State Government’s Department of Community Services. Tuart Place also receives funds from non-government ‘Past Providers’, in the form of unconditional donations from organisations that include the Christian Brothers, the Sisters of Nazareth, and the Sisters of Mercy. Financial support from all Past Providers is much appreciated, and is consistent with the Healing and Reconciliation agenda approved by Tuart Place participants. Tuart Place also receives donations from the general public, and is a ‘Public Benevolent Institution’, with ‘Deductible Gift Recipient’ status, meaning that donations are tax deductible. You can donate via PayPal on the Tuart Place website; by cheque; or use the bank deposit details on the back page of the Tuart Times. Please remember to put your name as a reference so we can send you a receipt.
Free men’s haircuts with Jacqi Every five weeks at Tuart Place Mondays from 1pm Please book with Vicky Next dates in 2018: • Monday 19 February • Monday 9 April • Monday 7 May • Monday 11 June
TUART PLACE
Meditation workshop
Contact details & opening hours
with Niamh Barnaś
24 High Street Opening Hours Fremantle WA 6160 9.00am to 4.30pm Phone (08) 6140-2380 Monday Freecall: 1800-619-795 Wednesday Email admin@tuartplace.org Thursday Web: www.tuartplace.org
Wednesday 7 March 10.30am to 12 noon
Guide Dogs WA It takes a lot of time, dedication and money to train a guide dog but they make an enormous difference to people living with blindness and vision impairment. Join us at 1.00pm on Monday 12 March when Lauren Shepherd of Guide Dogs WA will be at Tuart Place with an ambassador dog to tell us about the great work they do.
Meditation is a great way to relieve stress and tension in our lives. Instructor Niamh will take us through some simple meditation techniques in a relaxed and friendly environment. Niamh is originally from Dublin, Ireland but now lives in Fremantle. She has been running very popular Chair Yoga classes at Tuart Place since May 2017. Niamh believes passionately in the healing power of meditation and the importance of mindfulness.
Do you receive Ron’s Gazette? Ron’s Gazette is a fantastic newsletter published by Tuart Place participant Ron Love every two months. The Gazette is published in hard copy for inhouse circulation and is sent by e-mail to more than 200 recipients across Australia. Ron’s Gazette is also available on the Tuart Place website. If you would like to receive Ron’s Gazette by e-mail each month, please ask Vicky to add you to the distribution list.
Save these dates in 2018:
Counselling with Gordon Paton Gordon Paton is a highly experienced psychotherapist, group facilitator and transactional analysis counsellor, and recently retired from the Harry Hunter Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre, where he worked for 14 years. Gordon provides counselling, free of charge, to Tuart Place participants on Mondays. Gordon is also our Grievance Liaison Officer, and can assist with conflicts and complaints. Contact Vicky at Tuart Place to book an appointment with Gordon.
• Monday 26 February: knowmore Legal Service presentation by Prue Gregory, 1.00pm • Wednesday 28 February: knowmore Legal Service - individual appointments with Prue Gregory. Please book with Vicky • Saturday 24 March: All-day Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings O’Connor • Monday 16 April: Free legal advice with Gary Dean at Tuart Place, from 1.00pm • Friday 20 - Sunday 22 April: Group getaway to Moore River • Monday 23 April: ‘Happy Spine’ with Dr Janene Troy at Tuart Place, 1.00pm • Monday 7 May: Free Podiatry clinic at Tuar Place, from 1.00pm • Saturday 2 June: All-day Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings O’Connor • Monday 2 July: Kimberley Dental Team at Tuart Place, from 9.00am • Monday 19 July: Winter Warmer and Havea-go Talent Show 19
knowmore Legal Service at Tuart Place Monday 26 February & Wednesday 28 February 2018 Prue Gregory is the Principal Lawyer with knowmore, the legal service contracted to provide legal advice to those who may be eligible to apply for the Commonwealth redress scheme. Prue is based in Sydney and is coming to Perth in February to talk with people about the Commonwealth scheme. At 1.00pm on Monday 26 February Prue will give a presentation at Tuart Place about the recommendation of the Royal Commission in its Redress and Civil Litigation Report in September 2015, for the establishment of a national redress scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Prue will talk about the several moves by the Federal Government to address this recommendation from the initial plan put forward in January 2016 through to the Bill
to set up a Commonwealth Redress Scheme presented to Parliament in late October 2017. She will go through the scheme as set out in the legislation and what it means for survivors. Prue will spend time talking about the issues for people living in Western Australia. On Wednesday 28 February Prue will hold a clinic at Tuart Place for people who would like to talk to her one-on-one about how the scheme might affect them. To book a half-hour appointment with Prue, contact Vicky at Reception admin@tuartplace.org or phone 61402380.
Thanks to everyone who helps with The Tuart Times mailouts. It’s a huge job - the newsletter is posted to 1,008 care leavers, 584 agencies and supporters across Australia, and 61 people overseas.
Where is Tuart Place?
Tuart Place is located in the old Cleo’s Hotel at 24 High Street, in the West End of Fremantle, near the historic Roundhouse. There is no on-site parking, so some of our visitors park at South Beach and catch the Blue Central Area Transit (CAT) Bus, which stops close by in Phillimore Street, just after Cliff Street. If you are travelling on foot from Fremantle Train Station, Tuart Place is a five minute walk. Our contact details and opening hours are on page 19.
Our Eco Policy The Tuart Times is published by PK Print, a West Australian company certified by the Sustainable Green Print and Green Stamp Programs. These programs assist the printing industry to reduce waste and increase recycling. PK Print is certified for Level 2 in both Programs.
Like us on Facebook Have you liked the Tuart Place Facebook page yet? It’s a great way to stay in touch as we post lots of photos from events and also keep you up to date with relevant issues and things that are coming up. Find us at www.facebook.com/TuartPlaceFremantle
To donate to Tuart Place: