The
Tuart Times
ISSUE 17: FEB 2019 ISSN: 2204-7646
Photo: The West Australian
A NATIONAL APOLOGY
Survivor and FACT Vice-Chairperson Dale Lynch at the National Apology in Canberra
Hundreds of survivors journeyed from across Australia to be present on 22 October 2018 when the Australian parliament apologised to victims of institutional child sexual abuse. It was intense and emotionally draining for those who witnessed apologies by the current Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. Survivors listened in silence, sometimes interrupted with angry cries from people in the crowd - faces etched with pain. They roared with approval when former Prime Minister Julia Gillard took the stage. No two people seemed to have the same view that day of what it meant to them. Some boycotted it – for them it was meaningless, or a travesty that only sexual abuse was acknowledged - just nine years after a different set of national leaders stood in the same place and acknowledged the multiple forms of harm experienced by children in institutional care. For others it was a moment of truth and triumph – an official, public
acknowledgement of their trauma and pain – affirmation that they were not the only ones; that many, many other children had also been sexually abused in institutions. That the abuse was not their fault. Other people voiced mixed feelings about the Apology. For survivor Dale Lynch, it brought some sense of resolution. He had a chance to shake Julia Gillard’s hand and thank her personally for the Royal Commission. Dale was glad that Opposition Leader Bill Shorten mentioned the plight of survivors who had not been sexually mistreated but had fallen victim to violence or emotional abuse. While people will continue to hold different views on the National Apology, it has clearly raised public awareness about child sexual abuse and its devastating impacts. It is also clear that the Royal Commission prompted reforms that will decrease the chances of today’s children being abused in care. It has
also improved the way that institutions respond to survivors of historic abuse. It has reduced stigma and, we hope, made it easier for survivors to talk about sexual abuse, and get help.
In this edition: 2 – Make Redress Right 3 – National Redress Scheme Free information session 4 – Aged care education 5 – Home Stretch Campaign update 6 – Stolen Generations consultation 8 – News for former child migrants 10 – New people at Tuart Place 11 – New faces on the FACT Board 12-13 – Scotland the Brave 15 – Social Activities Group news 16-19 – What’s on at Tuart Place 20 – Tuart Place contact details
MAKE REDRESS (WA) RIGHT The Make Redress Right campaign continues to gain momentum and is now being considered in the upcoming State Budget. Having formed a Make Redress Right collective, exresidents of St Joseph’s Orphanage (one of Perth’s largest former children’s Homes), are now calling on all those harmed by the Redress WA scheme to lend their support to the call for justice. ‘The Joey Girls’ – a formidable group of women – have told their stories to ABC journalist Claire Moodie. Claire reported the issues in a TV news segment on 3 February 2019, and published an in-depth online report (available at ABC online https://www.abc.net.au/ search for ‘redress’). Claire Moodie’s story features Rose Kruger, Philomena Hall and Patricia Wenman who, along with 5,500 other applicants, had their Redress WA payment offers cut in half, following a change of government during the scheme. Although they suffered terrible physical and emotional abuse in care, none of the women are now able to take part in the new national scheme – which only deals with sexual abuse.
They are not alone. Approximately half of Redress WA applicants did not disclose sexual abuse and are now also left out of the National Redress Scheme. Another group of Redress WA survivors is led by the Rolfe sisters, who are also ex-residents of St Joseph’s Orphanage. The seven remaining Rolfe sisters are a force to be reckoned with and are determined to persist in seeking justice for survivors of Redress WA. In the first instance, they are calling on Premier Mark McGowan to issue a formal apology to care leavers who applied for the Redress WA scheme and suffered as a result of the reduction in payment levels, after having completed their stories of child abuse. Trish Gray (nee Rolfe) wants to hear from people interested in contacting their local Members of Parliament, and other forms of raising public awareness about the unfinished business of Redress WA. Contact Trish via Tuart Place.
Support grows for Make Redress Right in WA Journalist Claire Moodie’s coverage of the Redress WA debacle prompted a strong and wide-spread response from supporters. Among others, the Hon Alison Xamon MLC “urged the Government to support the Make Redress Right campaign and right the wrongs of the past, before it was too late”.
2
After seeing the ABC news segment, Professor Judy Harrison, a Barrister and Solicitor, and Senior Lecturer at the Australian National University, wrote to Premier Mark McGowan, Treasurer Ben Wyatt, and Member for the Kimberley Josie Farrer, urging them to act quickly in response to the continuing injustice experienced by victims of abuse and survivors of redress in WA.
The survivors of Redress WA appreciate your support...
National Redress Scheme: WA signs up New laws enabling West Australian survivors of institutional child sexual abuse to participate in the National Redress Scheme were passed in November 2018, and came into effect from 1 January this year. WA Attorney General John Quigley said the passage of this legislation was crucial because without it, the State Government and WA-based non-government institutions could not join the scheme. He said that the WA Government’s participation will contribute to it being a truly national scheme. The National Redress Scheme was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, alongside a recommendation to remove the statute of limitations on civil claims for child sexual abuse. Photo: On 22 November 2017, WA Attorney General John Quigley and Premier Mark McGowan walked into Parliament House in solidarity with survivors of child sexual abuse.
Government takes decisive action on Royal Commission recommendations The McGowan Government has made a firm commitment to implementing the 310 Royal Commission recommendations that apply to WA, and has already engaged with 289 of them. Minister Simone McGurk is responsible for overseeing implementation, and is progressing actions across three key areas: preventing future abuse; responding swiftly and effectively to abuse if it occurs; and addressing past abuse. Decisive action by the WA Government in the third area has included opting in to the National Redress Scheme, and proclaiming the Civil Liability Legislation Amendment (Child Sexual Abuse Actions) Act 2018 (WA), which removed the limitation periods for civil actions by victims of child sexual abuse. As a result of this change, the first settlement of a civil claim based on historic child sexual abuse was made on 16 August 2018. The first mediation in the Supreme Court was held on 27
September 2018 in relation to a historic abuse in care claim. The Government has developed Guiding Principles to identify how the State and its agencies should handle civil litigation involving child sexual abuse, to help ensure a consistent and compassionate approach, and minimise retraumatisation of survivors. The State Solicitor’s Office is applying these Guiding Principles in responding to claims against the State. This means that survivors in WA have a choice of pursuing civil litigation through the courts or seeking redress under the National Redress Scheme. In August 2018, Tuart Place Director Philippa White provided training on Minimising re-traumatisation of survivors of institutional abuse in civil litigation to lawyers and senior WA Government representatives attending a professional development opportunity held by the WA State Solicitors Office. Dr White and lawyer Gary Dean also gave presentations on this topic at the WA Community Legal Centres Association ‘Quarterlies’, held in Perth on 30 November 2018; and at professional development seminars hosted by Legalwise.
Information session with knowmore Legal Service Prue Gregory is the Principal Lawyer with knowmore, the Australia-wide legal service providing free, independent legal advice to people interested in applying for the National Redress Scheme for institutional child sexual abuse. With knowmore’s Perth office due to open by May 2019, Sydney-based Prue is making regular visits to Perth, and will deliver an open information session at Tuart Place at 1.00pm on Monday 25 March 2019. Prue will provide an update on the progress of the National Redress Scheme and the kind of legal support knowmore is delivering. She will also spend time talking about some of the particular issues affecting West Australian applicants, for example: which WA institutions have signed
up to the scheme so far; and how previous redress payments are likely to affect financial offers made under the National Redress Scheme. Prue is happy to answer these and any other questions you may have. This session is open to survivors, service providers and interested others. Please register your interest by phoning Vicky or Natalie at Tuart Place Reception: Ph 6140-2380, email admin@tuartplace.org 3
Community education in the aged care sector People who have had traumatic and abusive experiences in institutional care may dread the thought of going into an aged care Home. Fortunately, most aged care is now provided by visiting services, in private homes, and people tend to live independently for much longer. It is also helpful that the current Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is bringing the aged care sector under closer scrutiny. In 2016, the Commonwealth Department of Health released the ‘Caring for Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and Stolen Generations Information Package’, showing how early life experiences can affect older care leavers, and help aged care providers respond to their needs. The Package is a great start - we just need to make sure that aged care providers are aware of it and that, regardless of where aged care services are provided, agencies and workers understand the special needs of survivors of institutional abuse. A recently-launched joint project between Tuart Place and Lanterns House will increase the number of aged care workers who are aware of the Package, and key issues that may affect their care-leaver clients. A group of care leavers from Tuart Place and Lanterns, including Hilly Hill and Susanne Burke in their role
Help inform aged care providers Are you interested in talking to aged care service providers about what they need to know when working with older care leavers who experienced childhood abuse in institutions? An opportunity exists to get involved with other care leavers working with Jan and Deb in preparation for community-based presentations. If you would like to find out more, please contact Jan at Tuart Place in Fremantle (Ph: 6140-2380, Email: jan@tuartplace.org) or Deb at Lanterns House in Belmont (Ph: 61640240, Email: lanterns@relationshipswa.org.au)
National Apology Twelve care leavers representing Tuart Place travelled to Canberra to attend the National Apology in October 2018. Many among this group had also taken part in a formal consultation at Tuart Place in June, providing input designed to make the event more meaningful to survivors. Our photo shows the group arriving in Canberra the day before the National Apology at Parliament House. Support agencies across Australia, including Tuart Place, also hosted live viewing events so that survivors unable to attend in person could watch the Apology in a supported environment. 4
“I’d rather die than go into a Home” as members of the Alliance for Forgotten Australians (AFA), have been working alongside Tuart Place social worker Jan Newman and Reg Casley, Senior Manager of Adult Specialised Services at Relationships Australia, to develop a community education project designed to raise awareness in the aged care sector. A great deal of groundwork was done by McCusker Foundation Intern Jake Norris during his 2018 placement at Tuart Place, where he was supervised by Jan. Jake assisted Jan to ‘map’ the aged care sector in WA, as a foundation to the community education project. Jake also contacted interstate care-leaver agencies to learn if similar community education projects were underway, with a particularly positive response from Elm Place in Adelaide. The next step involves care leavers working with Jan and Debra Magi, Case Manager, Find & Connect (Lanterns House), preparing for care leavers to deliver presentations to community-based aged care agencies. Why not get involved?
Dale Lynch is a survivor of abuse in out-of-home care and Vice-Chair of Forgotten Australians Coming Together (FACT), the governing body of Tuart Place. Dale writes: “Survivors have a legitimate fear of going into aged care facilities. They may also find it difficult having strangers come into their homes to provide various aged care services. “Perhaps we need a card or something on our health file identifying us as survivors of institutional abuse, or/and something built into aged training to recognise that survivors of abuse have a fear of being abused again.”
Continued from page 1
Home Stretch launches in WA Tuart Place supports the Home Stretch initiative and applauds the State Government for introducing a trial program in WA in October 2018. Home Stretch provides an option to extend out-of-home care from 18 to 21 years for any young person needing or seeking this. Older care leavers often refer to the experience of leaving institutional care as “the worst time of all”. Discharged from the age of 16, they were unprepared for life outside the orphanage, sometimes not knowing how to use a public telephone, catch a bus or open a bank account. Much has improved over the years, but for today’s young people, leaving care at 18 can still be devastating, and within a year, 50 per cent will be unemployed, in jail, homeless or become a new parent. Anglicare WA Services Director Mark Glasson, who led the WA campaign for Home Stretch, said these risk
factors could be reduced with more support. “Implementing this reform will reduce youth homelessness for young people leaving care by 50 per cent, it will reduce crime figures by about 40 per cent, it will reduce young people’s involvement in crime, we will reduce teen pregnancies, and young people’s participation in education and employment will double,” Mr Glasson said. Anglicare WA is working with the State Government to develop the trial and will test it over at least six months. If successful, the trial will be extended. Many older care leavers say their greatest wish is for the mistakes of the past not to be repeated with children in care today. The start of Home Stretch in WA is a great step towards achieving this goal. We commend Premier Mark McGowan and Minister Simone McGurk on this decision.
Young people in state care should have a place to call home until the age of 21 Chris is a young care leaver and survivor of child abuse. He is also a CREATE Young Consultant with a strong purpose in helping to protect all children who are at risk of abuse, and provide them with support, hope and a vision for their future. Chris supports the Home Stretch campaign to extend out-of-home care from 18 to 21 years. He writes: “Approval for all children and young people in out-of-home care to receive support from the department until 21 will give these children and young people three more years to build their parameters of independent living skills as well as accessing pivotal supports; validating that their case workers and the department are dedicated to ensuring they never ever have to be a victim, ever again”. Source: www.create.org.au
Presentation to Trauma Informed Care Symposium FACT Chairperson Cevrina Reed, Tuart Place Senior Therapist Susy Vaughan and Director Philippa White delivered a joint presentation to the Trauma Informed Care Symposium Structuring Recovery, Creating Healing Spaces – held in the Perth CBD on 9 November 2018. The symposium was convened by the Australian Association of Social Workers. Entitled Tuart Place: Working alongside survivors of institutional trauma in designing, delivering and reviewing services, their presentation focussed on the four essential elements identified in Dr Sue Bailey’s 2014 independent evaluation of Tuart Place: Safety, Connection, Opportunity and Hope. A video of participants speaking in the powerful short film Why I come to Tuart Place was linked to each of these elements to illustrate how they operate in practice and how they contribute to an increased sense of belonging, selfdetermination and positive life choices. Presentations and other resources from the
Symposium are available at https://www.aasw.asn.au/ western-australia/trauma-informed-symposium/traumainformed-symposium-resources
At the Symposium: Yokai Executive Director Jim Morrison with Dr Philippa White and Dr Sue Bailey
5
MAKE RECORDS RIGHT Tuart Place’s ongoing work with the records sector included a presentation in September 2018 with a panel of experts speaking at the Annual Conference of the Australian Society of Archivists. The Panel, chaired by Curtin University’s Dr Leisa Gibbons, responded to the question How important are records and rights to access for care leavers? (Short answer = very). Our photo shows panel members (L-R) Dr Joanne Evans, ARC Future Fellow at Monash University, Sarah Lewis, State Coordinator of CREATE, Young Consultants Andre and Lily, State Archivist Catharin Cassarchis, and Tuart Place Director Dr Philippa White. During Pip’s presentation she screened footage of the powerful speeches made by care leavers at the WA State Workshop for ‘Setting the Record Straight for the Rights of the Child’, hosted by Tuart Place in September 2017. Pip also outlined eight key principles for releasing records to Forgotten Australians, former child migrants, members of the Stolen Generations, and younger care leavers.
Eight key principles We ask the following things of all record holders releasing care leaver records: 1. Be as proactive and generous as possible in your release of records. Start with an assumption that you will release everything, and work backwards. Only redact information that is reasonably likely to cause harm to a third party. 2. Photos are precious. Please never pixelate or obscure the faces of people who appear in images you release to care leavers. Entire photo collections generously released by some past providers have been on the internet for years, and the sky is yet to fall. 3. While we recognise that the redaction of some thirdparty names in records may be necessary, we suggest that all organisations provide (as a minimum): a reason why the information has been redacted, and a summary of the redacted material. 4. We also ask record-holders to make public statements about how they ensure that redacted information doesn’t cause unnecessary distress to people receiving records, and how they are resourcing the task of providing explanations to avoid care leavers feeling that ‘they know what’s in my file but I’m not allowed to’. The Find & Connect web resource is happy to display this information on their website. 5. Please ask for only one piece of ID – even this can be difficult for some people to provide. And it’s not necessary for applications to be certified by a JP – it just creates another barrier. 6. Allow people to request a copy of their whole file. If people don’t know what’s their file, they can’t know what to ask for. Even the smallest peice of information can be significant. 7. Don’t ask why a care leaver wants access to his or her file - and especially don’t ask if it’s for the purpose of a claim. 8. And, if you are responding to complaints of historic child abuse, never use the absence of records to justify the denial of a claim, or an experience. 6
VALE
Edward Cogan 3-3-37 to 23-8-18 A founding member of FACT A Board Member from 2009 to 2018 A kind and gentle man We miss you Eddie Rest in Peace
Stolen Generations consultation at Tuart Place
Jo Abraham (standing, second from left, with consultation participants Jo Abraham of Yokai/Bringing Them Home WA facilitated a group consultation at Tuart Place in mid-November last year to discuss a proposed memorial to the Stolen Generations. No such memorial currently exists in Perth. This project is part of the City of Perth’s 2018/19 Reconciliation Action Plan, and the proposed site for the memorial is Wellington Square Park. Yokai has been approached by the City of Perth to gather input from Aboriginal West Australians through a series of consultations, such as the one hosted by Tuart
Place. Jo spent time chatting with participants at Tuart Place before facilitating the well-attended consultation with Aboriginal care leavers. For further information about this project please let us know and we can put you in contact with Jo Abraham. Jo says that looking forward, the City of Perth is keen to encourage Aboriginal artists to tender for this and other art installations in the Wellington Square Park Revitalisation Project.
Mogumber Mission Centenary People travelled from across the State to be part of a Centenary Commemoration held in October 2018 at the historical site of the Moore River Native Settlement, later named Mogumber Mission. Mogumber is a historically significant place for Aboriginal people throughout WA. Many were, or have family who were, born or resided at the former Native Reserve and Mission. For some ex-residents it was the first time they had returned to the place, while others came to honour parents or grandparents who had been placed there or even born there. Tuart Place participants met up with friends Marlene Jackamarra, Len and Jean Ogilvie, and Jim Morrison, who helped organise this important event. Len Ogilvie is the oldest survivor among those who were taken to Moore River before it became a church-run facility. Len described mixed feelings about being there.
Survivors and supporters at Mogumber Many people could identify with Len’s comment that “there are good memories and bad memories, but probably more bad than good.” A collection of photographs and a burial register compiled by Aboriginal History WA to commemorate the Mogumber Cemetery, are available at https://www.dlgsc. wa.gov.au/achwa/Pages/Moore-River.aspx
7
News for former child migrants
Ex-gratia payment scheme for UK child migrants In December 2018, the UK Government announced that it will pay £20,000 (approximately $36,000 Australian dollars) to any former British child migrant who was alive on 1 March 2018, or beneficiaries of any former child migrant who was alive on 1 March 2018 but had since died. The offer is for a ‘common experience’ payment, in recognition of the fundamentally flawed nature of the historic child migration policy, regardless of whether the person suffered abuse. The claimant must have been
a child migrant sent from the United Kingdom and Crown Dependencies (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man). In addition, the claimant must have been sent to Australia by a church, state, voluntary or other organisation, and must not have been accompanied by an adult family member, or sent to live with a member of their birth family. Applications will be accepted by the Child Migrants Trust from 1 March 2019, and the scheme will remain open
for two years from its launch. Payments will be administered by the NHS Business Services Authority in the UK. Previous payments received under any other scheme, in any country, will not be taken into account. Claimants will need to provide identification when they apply. For further information, see https://www. childmigrantstrust.com/news or contact the Child Migrants Trust on Freecall: 1800 04 05 09.
Finding Terry O’Leary - after 71 years
8
As a young boy, Richard Smith remembers standing on a dock in South Hampton waving farewell to his 11-yearold friend Terry O’Leary as he sailed away on a ship bound for Fremantle, Western Australia. Terry had been living at St Mary’s Orphanage and School, Gravesend in Kent, and Richard in lived in Maidstone in Kent. Terry spent holidays, about four times a year, with Richard’s family and Terry loved it. They would come in the car to collect Terry, which was exciting. Richard’s father owned the large post office in Maidstone, in Kent. Whenever Terry stayed with Richard’s family, he called Richard’s parents uncle and auntie. Terry remembers that Richard
and he were great friends, and had many adventures, including the time he accidentally shot Richard in the shoulder with an air rifle. All was apparently forgiven, and they stayed in touch after Terry sailed for Australia under the child migration scheme and was sent to Tardun. However, soon after leaving Tardun, 17-year-old Terry lost all his belongings in a fire, including Richard’s address. Richard always wondered what happened to his childhood friend. He finally found him - 71 years later, after contacting Tuart Place. With help from Natalie at Tuart Place, Terry and Richard are now in email contact and are catching up on
Terry O’Leary with Natalie times past. Terry says receiving that phone call from Natalie changed his life. Terry and his wife Jannette will visit England in next year, after his hip operation, and plan to catch up with Richard and his wife Maggie.
News from Northern Ireland Former child migrant Ann McVeigh met with survivor advocates Prof Patricia Lundy and Gerry McCann, Chairperson of the Rosetta Trust survivors group, in Belfast during her trip to Northern Ireland in October 2018. Ann had met Patricia previously, when she visited Perth in 2017 and connected with Northern Irish child migrants at Tuart Place. Ann, who is a member of the Board of Tuart Place, was keen to find out about progress in implementing the recommendations of Northern Ireland’s Historic Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIAI). Patricia Lundy and Gerry McCann briefed Ann on improvements to the HIAI redress scheme proposed by the survivor-led Panel of Experts on Redress. After returning to Australia, Ann reported on the issues raised by Gerry and Patricia, and outcomes of another meeting with Michael Mulholland and Orla Wiegleb of the HIAI Division of the Executive Office, where she received a briefing on a public consultation
on draft legislation for survivors of institutional child abuse in Northern Ireland. Tuart Place shared Ann’s concern that although former child migrants are included in the proposed legislation, they were not mentioned anywhere in the Consultation questionnaire. We raised this serious oversight with the Head of the NI Executive Office in November, and successfully negotiated for a revised questionnaire, which has been posted to 41 Northern Irish former child migrants living in Australia. So far we have received 24 completed questionnaires, and will forward them to the Executive Office before the Consultation closes on 10 March 2019. Former child migrants living in Perth have also provided input to the Consultation via a video-link with Tuart Place on 14 January 2019. The Northern Ireland Executive Office is keen to hear your views on the proposed model of redress for Northern Ireland.
Rosetta Trust Chairperson Gerry McCann, Ann McVeigh and Prof Patricia Lundy in Belfast
To find out more, visit https:// w w w.e xe c u ti ve o f f i c e - ni. gov.uk / consultations/historical-institutionalabuse-consultation The Historical Institutional Abuse consultation closes on 10 March 2019.
Paying their respects at Michael Madigan’s funeral in November 2018: (L-R) Ron Allen, Jack Carvill, Paddy Cannon, Frank and Judith Marshall, and Marie Hadwiger.
9
New people at Tuart Place Counsellor Sarah Regan is the most recent member the Tuart Place team, joining us in early 2018. Sarah has a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling and is currently completing a Master in Philosophy at Notre Dame University. Sarah has over 10 years’ experience working in the areas of aged care and community services, in a range of agency settings. She is an experienced counsellor, with a warm and friendly manner, who takes a client-centered, trauma-informed approach to her work. If you would like to book an appointment with Sarah, or find out more about how Tuart Place can support you, please call Vicky or Natalie in Reception. Amaleed Al-Maliki is a new Student Social Worker at Tuart Place, and will be with us until the end of June 2019. Amaleed is currently in her third year of a Social Work degree at Curtin University and is participating in her first fieldwork placement. Amaleed has always had a passion Counsellor Sarah Regan with Student Social Worker Amaleed Al-Maliki for helping others and making a difference in people’s lives. She has been in the community some of whom were in out-of-home care. Amaleed enjoys services sector for several years, working as a Disability and meeting new people and learning new things. She also Mental Health Support Worker. enjoys cooking, watching movies and spending time with Last January, Amaleed volunteered in South Africa family and friends. at an early learning centre to help disadvantaged children –
Dale Lynch - finding family Imagine tracing your family, only to find out you already know them. Dale Lynch has had the extraordinary experience of finding a family member he had known for six years, living in the same country town, both unaware that they are first cousins. Dale has also discovered that his Aunt Elsie, 97, also lives in Busselton. Dale’s childhood in out-of-home care included many different institutions and an extremely abusive foster care situation. His mother and father passed away not long after he met them, before Dale found out much about his family background. Dale writes: “I was raised in care and did not connect with my biological family until I was in my early 20s. Initially I met my mother and two of my sisters, who told me I had six sisters, two brothers and a father. They also told me they (the family) had not stopped searching for me since I was placed in St Vincent’s Foundling Home as a toddler. It was great to finally have a family and a sense of belonging, which grew stronger as I met more members of my immediate family”. 10
In 2016, Dale began travelling up from Busselton each month to meet with historian Dr Lesley Silvester at Tuart Place, seeking information about his wider family. Lesley is a family tracing expert with the WA Genealogical Society (WAGS) and volunteers her time at Tuart Place on the third Monday of each month. Dale writes: “What an amazingly talented lady Lesley is. In the last couple of years, she has taken me on a marvellous journey through the history of my European ancestors, so far going back six generations, across six countries - with everything being verified with various documents. I have learnt of a great, great granddad who was a merchant seaman from Wales and a great, great grandmother who was a convict from Cornwall. These are just two of the stories I now know”. Encouraged by Lesley’s work, Dale sought out living relatives through Facebook, and before long was contacted by someone called Julie in Victoria, who recognised the Lynch family name. It was through Julie that Dale learned of his grandmother, Elsie, who is 97 years old and lives in Busselton, Dale’s home town. Even
more i – also with D Bussel Dale w Elsie’s guy fo The ne explain by the to mee care ho my hea and ex Elsie h patche times s I look f
New faces on the FACT Inc Board Forgotten Australians Coming Together Inc (FACT) is the governing body of Tuart Place. The FACT Board is comprised of people with lived experience of out-of-home care, (including the Chair and ViceChairperson), and other professional members elected for their expertise and qualifications in areas such as law, accounting, service management and governance. Tuart Place is a leader in co-production of support services for Australian care leavers, with more than half its Board of Governance comprised of care leavers, and peer leadership playing a pivotal role in service design. Co-production with care Chairperson leavers includes delivering and designing Cevrina Reed services in the areas of community education, social connection and peer mentoring, which operate successfully alongside highly professional and trauma-informed clinical services resulting in an optimal model of service delivery. All clinical and professional services at Tuart Place are managed by the Director, Dr Philippa White, and her staff. Strict privacy protocols exist whereby no Board member has access to any confidential client information. Treasurer All Boards benefit from Ross Stagno renewal of membership, and 2019 has
incredibly, Elsie’s son Douglas – Dale’s first cousin lives in Busselton and was already known to Dale, Doug’s wife Margaret being the Treasurer of the lton Collectors Club, of which Dale is Secretary. writes: “I was amazed when Julie told me Douglas was son and my first cousin. Wow! I had known this or six years and neither of us knew we were related! ext morning, I contacted Doug and Margaret and ned the story to them. Like me they were astounded e news. “That afternoon, Doug and Margaret took me up et my 97-year-old aunt Elsie, who lives in an aged ome. I had butterflies in my belly and excitement in art! “My Aunty Elsie is an absolutely gorgeous lady, xtremely spritely for someone of 97. Unfortunately, has some dementia, although still has amazing es of clarity. I have been to see her another four since and she looks forward to my visits as much as forward to seeing her”.
seen several changes in the FACT Board. We said farewell and thank you to our outgoing Chairperson Ron Love, who volunteered many years of dedicated service to the Board, and won the ConnectGroups inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in October 2018. Thank you also to longstanding Board members Maria Harries and Lee Peters, for their major contributions to Tuart Place. Eddie Cogan, another founding member of the FACT Board, sadly passed away in August 2018. A gentle and compassionate man. We miss him dearly. Stepping into the role of Solicitor Chairperson in 2019 is Cevrina Reed, Chris Williams with Dale Lynch in the role of ViceChair. Congratulations to both and thank you for your outstanding contributions to FACT. In recent months we have also welcomed three professional members to the Board: executive career coach Lyn Sherwood; chartered accountant Ross Stagno (Board Treasurer); and lawyer Chris Williams. They join existing Board members Kevin Collins, Lyn McLaughlin, Ann McVeigh, and Dr Executive Katrina Stratton. career coach What a great team! Lyn Sherwood
Dale with his cousin Douglas, Doug’s wife Margaret, and Auntie Elsie. Notice the strong family resemblance between Dale and Doug. 11
Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry in Australia Tuart Place was pleased to welcome members of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) team who travelled to Australia in September 2018 to meet with former child migrants from Scotland. Over a 2-week period, two teams of Inquiry staff met with witnesses to take statements at Tuart Place and other locations around Australia. For the witnesses, it was traumatic to recount their experiences of childhood abuse and neglect, however the SCAI team were extremely compassionate and professional, and all witnesses said they felt well supported during the process. We’d like to thank team members (L-R) Andrea, Lydia, Jennifer, Jacqui, John and Duncan (not in photo), for their great work. We look forward to seeing you again in March 2019, on your second trip to meet with former child migrants in Australia. To find out more about the Inquiry, visit https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/
Yvonne speaks with Scottish Inquiry
12
After meeting with Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) team members in a private session in 2018, Scottish former child migrant Yvonne Radzevicius (nee O’Donnell) gave evidence to a public hearing of the Inquiry by video-link from Tuart Place in January this year. Appearing before Inquiry Chair the Rt Hon, Lady Smith, Yvonne spoke of her experiences at Nazareth House in Cardonald, Glasgow, where she lived from 9 months to 10 years old, before being sent to Australia in 1953 and placed at Nazareth House in Geraldton. Yvonne suffered different
forms of abuse and neglect in both institutions, but said it was the emotional abuse and lack of love that had the most lasting and detrimental effects on her life. After giving evidence to the Inquiry, Yvonne told her story to Australian international and media, and waived her right to anonymity to urge other survivors to get in touch with the Scottish Inquiry. Inquiry Chair Lady Smith has also appealed for survivors living in Australia to come forward. To contact the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry email talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot or call Tuart Place.
Scotland the Brave Ian Donaldson - Scotty - a former child migrant from Scotland, met with membrs of one of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) teams in a private session at Tuart Place in September 2018. Scotty said that although it was difficult talking about the past, he had really enjoyed meeting the SCAI team, and that they were very friendly and professional.
Future Pathways: Help is available Future Pathways offers help and support to people who were abused or neglected as children while they were living in care in Scotland, including people were sent from Scotland to Australia under the assisted child migration schemes, or who moved away from Scotland as adults. ‘In care’ means living in residential or foster care, living in a boarding school (state, private or independent), having a long-term stay in hospital or spending time in a juvenile detention centre. We work with survivors to help
them access support that will improve their lives. Support is personalised and examples include access to education, community activities, counselling, records, and one-off items needed for a better quality of life. We are already working with people in Australia (and elsewhere in the world) and manage the time zone differences by conducting support at the beginning or end of the UK day (currently Perth is +8 hours ahead, and will be +7 hours ahead when Daylight Saving commences in Scotland on 31 March 2019).
You can find out more about our work in general at www.futurepathways.co.uk Referral forms for Future Pathways are available from Tuart Place.
Scottish Government offers apology and financial redress We’ve seen a lot of redress done badly, so it’s heartening to see that the Scots seem to be getting it right. In October 2018, the Scottish Government offered an “unreserved and heartfelt apology to everyone who suffered abuse in care in Scotland”. The Scottish apology, and a financial redress scheme, have been announced ahead of any recommendations from the current Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), with advance payment to be made available as soon as possible to people who are elderly or in ill health. The Scottish Inquiry is not solely focussed on sexual
abuse, rather it is investigating all types of abuse, including systemic abuses and neglect. Additionally, a support service, Future Pathways, has been made available to Scottish survivors (including child migrants), offering a range of tangible and useful options – such as funding for health and wellbeing activities and the purchase of one-off items to help achieve a better quality of life. Well done Scotland! It seems there’s a lot we can learn from your approach. 13
Community education
Talking with student social workers about care leaver issues Care leaver representatives from Tuart Place have been giving presentations to student social workers for a number of years, and continued the tradition in 2018. Care leavers are over-represented in the communities with which social workers engage, and an awareness of the issues affecting care leavers is an important part of social work education. In October last year Ron Love, Cevrina Reed and Sylvia Stonehouse shared their stories with another class of final year Master of Social Work students at UWA, identifying key issues affecting many older care leavers.
Tuart Place Social Worker Jan Newman gave the introduction to the presentation and talked about the kind of work carried out at Tuart Place. Once again, the presentation by care leavers was a huge success, with great engagement by the students, who asked lots of questions. Student social worker Lok Yiu Lee (known as Yoyo), who has now graduated, was so impressed she approached Tuart Place after the presentation and has been volunteering with us ever since. You can see Yoyo on the far right in our photo. Hi Yoyo!
Ian Donaldson: A kindness returned Tuart Place regular Ian Donaldson is famous for his handcrafted windmills and has donated many of them as gifts and raffle prizes. Ian’s windmills are very popular, and always sell a lot of raffle tickets! In February 2019, Ian presented a windmill (painted in Dockers colours) to the Mayor of Fremantle, Dr Brad Pettitt. Delighted to accept this special gift on behalf of the City of Fremantle, Dr Pettitt and his fellow Councillors later made a surprise donation of $200 to Tuart Place. Your kindness is much appreciated. Yours too Ian.
14
Weekend camp at Fairbridge Pinjarra
This year’s weekend camp is for two nights: from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 May 2019, staying at Fairbridge House near Pinjarra. Fairbridge House (pictured) has a lovely garden and is close to the pool and BBQ area. All linen is provided, there is reverse cycle airconditioning, and a wood fire. The cost per person is $60 (for
food). Accommodation fees are paid by SAG – the Tuart Place Social Activities Group, with funds raised at SAG’s very successful Bunnings sausage sizzles. The camp is a chance to relax and get away from it all while enjoying the company of others. Take time for yourself, or join in the group activities. To book, please provide payment of $60.00 per person to Jo at
Tuart Place. For those needing transport, a free bus will leave from and return to Maylands Train Station. Places are limited so please pay by Thursday 2 May to confirm your spot. For further information, contact SAG Chairperson John Ryall on 0448-074-536.
Social Activities Group News The Tuart Place Social Activities Group (SAG) has made a strong start to the year, with a number of projects already underway. Taking on the Chair from outgoing Chairperson Mike Carroll in August last year, John Ryall said he was John Ryall (on left) and team at the March 2018 Bunnings Sizzle keen to continue the Bunnings Sausage sizzle fundraisers, the annual camp and regular group outings on the bus. hi to the team (and purchase a snagger in a bun!) We are most grateful to Mike Carroll for his SAG’s first day trip of 2019 is on March 7, taking the continued support with the 2019 Bunnings fundraiser - 12-seater bus to Yanchep National Park, where the group thankyou Mike. The first fundraising sausage sizzle of 2019 will explore the caves and local scenery, and have a sausage is on Saturday 16 March at Bunnings O’Connor, from 8am. sizzle lunch. Entry fees and lunch will be covered by SAG. Please contact John, or Jo at Tuart Place, if See the story above for details of SAG’s 2019 camp you would like to volunteer, or just call in on the day and say to Fairbridge House on the weekend of 17-19 May. 15
Oliver McNerney Update Our favourite DJ Oliver McNerney is now working in Ellenbrook as a volunteer radio presenter with FM Radio VCA 88.5 - ‘Where the valley comes alive’. Oliver presents a Country & Irish show every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm. Listeners can phone in
requests on 9297-1088, or text Oliver on 0450-459-217. He plays lots of Aussie and American Country music, and loads of very nice Irish songs. Oliver says: “Tell your readers not to be shy and give us a try!”. Our photo shows Oliver (left) with his brother Dennis at Clontarf.
Feeling crafty? Why not come along and join in the
every-second-Thursday craft sessions at Tuart Place. Bring your own craft ideas or help out with team projects.
Crafty Thursdays Every second Thursday, from 11am
Poppies for Remembrance Day Ann McVeigh and fellow Craft Ladies at Tuart Place donated a collection of handknitted lapel poppies to commemorate Remembrance Day in November 2018. The poppies were collected from Tuart Place by Rob Fittock, Vice-President of the Returned and Services League (RSL) Fremantle Branch. Rob said the poppies would be used by a local school in a Remembrance Day ceremony. Nice work ladies!
RSL Vice-President Rob Fittock collects poppies from Craft Ladies at Tuart Place
Tuart Place lending library The Tuart Place lending library is full of great books, jigsaw puzzles and games. Feel free to browse our selection and borrow items. Many thanks to Rosyln Hackett for sorting and reorganising the books and other resources. It has made a world of difference to our library! 16
Thank you Dave!
Dave Moir is a longstanding Tuart Place participant and a tireless volunteer. Dave also gives a lot of his time to helping friends and neighbours, and visiting people who are struggling with poor health. Thankyou Dave - we really appreciate all you do.
Find & Connect Bunbury Coffee Morning Find & Connect runs an outreach program in Bunbury once a month. The group provides peer social support through our Coffee Morning, facilitated by Debra a Counsellor/Case worker from Lanterns House. The group is casual and provides a relaxed and friendly opportunity for Find & Connect members (Care Leavers and Former Child Migrants) in the Bunbury area, to catch up in a social environment. The group meet at either the Relationships Australia building in Bunbury or alternatively we meet at a local café where we enjoy some of the lovely locations that Bunbury offers. It is always a great morning, if anyone is interested in attending please phone our Perth office on 08-6164-0240 – new members most welcome.
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 from 10.30am.
Games after lunch
Up for a game of Triominos? Or perhaps cards? It’s always lots of fun when we play games after lunch, and there are lots of different games in the library at Tuart Place. Come and have a go!
Seeking Contact Susan (Spira) Camelleri lived at St Joseph’s Orphanage from 1964-1969. Susan would like to make contact with any St Joseph’s ex-residents who were there at this time and who are happy to have to a chat. Susan is also interested in talking with anyone who attended Mercedes College around the same time. Please call Susan on 0408-063-456. 17
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. From 10.30am. Every Thursday: Computers & mobile phone help with Jo’s team 10.30am - 12 noon • Every second Thursday: Craft Ladies with Vera, from 11am • Every Month: Family history and tracing with WA Genealogical Society expert Dr Lesley Silvester. 12.30-4.30pm, by appointment. • Every 4 weeks: Free legal advice with lawyer Gary Dean. 1-4pm, by appointment. • Every 4 weeks: Free beauty treatments with Natalia 11am - 3.30pm, by appointment.
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.
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. Contact Vicky for an appointment with Gordon. 18
Family tracing with Lesley 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 sessions in 2019: • Monday 18 Mar 12.30–4.30pm • Monday 15 Apr 12.30–4.30pm • Monday 20 May 12.30–4.30pm • Monday 17 Jun 12.30–4.30pm • Monday 15 Jul 12.30–4.30pm
Who funds Tuart Place?
Tuart Place receives its core funding from the WA State Government’s Department of Communities. 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 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.
Do you receive ‘What’s On?’
Every two months our Program Coordinator Jo Hocking produces a new ‘What’s On?’ flier, which is posted out in hard copy to 700+ recipients in the Perth metro area, and sent by e-mail to a further 200+ recipients. ‘What’s On?’ is also available on the Tuart Place website. To join the mailing list for ‘What’s On?’, contact Vicky or Natalie at Reception.
What’s on at Tuart Place Information session with knowmore Legal Service Prue Gregory is the Principal Lawyer with knowmore, the Australia-wide legal service providing free, independent legal advice to people interested in applying for the National Redress Scheme for institutional child sexual abuse. With knowmore’s Perth office due to open by May 2019, Sydney-based Prue is making regular visits to Perth, and will deliver an open information session at Tuart Place at 1.00pm on Monday 25 March 2019. Prue will provide an update on the progress of the National Redress Scheme and the kind of legal support knowmore is delivering. She will also spend time talking about some of the particular issues affecting West
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 2019: • Monday 11 Mar 1–4.00pm • Monday 8 Apr 1–4.00pm • Monday 6 May 1–4.00pm • Monday 10 Jun 1–4.00pm
Amaleed’s Biscuit Bonanza! Join in the fun at Amaleed’s preEaster biscuit-decorating session on Wednesday 17 April, from 10.30am to 12 noon. Decorate Amaleed’s freshly-baked cookies with delicious toppings and take them home to share. All materials provided.
Australian applicants, for example: which WA institutions have signed up to the scheme so far; and how previous redress payments are likely to affect financial offers made under the National Redress Scheme. Prue is happy to answer these and any other questions you may have. This session is open to survivors, service providers and interested others. Please register your interest by phoning Vicky or Natalie at Tuart Place Reception: Ph 6140-2380, email admin@tuartplace.org
Upcoming events Check your ‘What’s On’ flier for additional events in April/May and June/July 2019 • Thur 7 March: Bus trip to Yanchep Meet near Maylands train station 10am. Book with Vicky • Mon 11 March: Social Activities Group, 1pm • Sat 16 March: Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings O’Connor, from 8am • Mon 18 March: Photos from Africa with Natalie. 1pm • Monday 25 March: Information session: National Redress Scheme, 1pm • Wed 27 March: Podiatry clinic, 12.45 onwards • Monday 1 April: Bingo, 1pm • Wednesday 17 April: Biscuit Bonanza with Amaleed, 10.30am-12noon • Friday 17 to Sunday 19 May: Weekend away at Fairbridge Pinjarra. Book with Jo • Monday 8 July: Annual ‘Winter Warmer’ lunch, raffle & Talent Show, 11am-2pm • Monday 22 July: Kimberley Dental Team, Free dental clinic 8.30am-12noon
Free beauty treatments with Natalia Natalia Pronina is a qualified beauty therapist who volunteers at Tuart Place providing monthly beauty treatments to participants. Treatments include: back, neck and shoulder massage, reflexology, foot massage, basic facials, eyebrow wax
and tint, pedicures, and lip, chin & face waxing. Please book with Vicky.
Next sessions in 2019: • Monday 1 Apr 11am–3.30pm • Monday 13 May 11am–3.30pm • Monday 24 Jun 11am–3.30pm
19
To donate to Tuart Place:
24 High Street Fremantle WA 6160 Phone (08) 6140-2380 Freecall: 1800-619-795 Email: admin@tuartplace.org Web: www.tuartplace.org
Opening Hours 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday Wednesday Thursday Newsletter Editor: Philippa White Newsletter enquiries/contributions: via email to admin@tuartplace.org
Where is Tuart Place? 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.
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.
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.
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