Clontarf heritage update

Thank you Senator Rachel Siewert

We would like to thank Senator Rachel Siewert for her dedicated work and outstanding achievements over 15 years as a Greens Senator for WA. Rachel announced in August 2020 that she would not be nominating for pre-selection for the next federal election. Rachel is a champion of social justice and will be a great loss to federal politics. She is a strong and compassionate advocate for people facing disadvantage. We are proud to have Rachel as one of three Patrons of Tuart Place, and appreciate her keen interest and advocacy on behalf of Forgotten Australians, former child migrants, and members of the Stolen Generations and their descendants.

Rachel at a Tuart Place Christmas party

Clontarf Heritage Update

by Mike Carroll, Secretary, Clontarf Old Boys Heritage Committee (COBHC)

The Heritage Committee continues to move with the times, in the spirit of its humble beginnings as the Clontarf History Project in 2004. The current work of the Committee includes engaging with the Indigenous Land Council (ILC), which was represented by Roger Stein at our last meeting on 16 September 2020. The primary role of the COBHC at present is to request, through the ILC, that portions of the Clontarf site be included in the Heritage Council of Western Australia’s forthcoming assessment and survey. This is to ensure an appropriate Management Category is allocated to each portion of the site. Of particular interest to the COBHC is the assessment of Michael Bowman’s grave and the category in which this portion will be contained and in particular how it will it be managed. The last survey by the Heritage Council was completed in 2015. The ILC representative, Roger Stein, has assured the Committee that our request will be followed up. The Committee realises that the inclusion in the Scope of Listings by the Heritage Council of Michael Bowman’s grave site and other portions of the Clontarf site may take time to assess. In the meantime, the Committee’s secondary role is to provide opportunities for Old Boys to meet up for lunch at the Cafe Central in East Victoria Park. Our goal is to maintain social cohesion within the group and in particular to support those Old Boys who may feel isolated.

COBHC members Mike, Kevin, Dennis & Dougie

Forde Foundation: 20 years of support to care leavers from Queensland Institutions

The Forde Foundation was established following the Commission of Inquiry into the Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions, known as the Forde Inquiry, which tabled its Report in 1999. The Forde Foundation is a perpetual and independent charitable trust that aims to improve the quality of life for people who were in the care of Queensland Institutions or foster care as children. Its Vision is to directly help improve the quality of life through advancing health, education and welfare for people who were abused or neglected in care and to acknowledge the disadvantages many care leavers have had to face as a result of their childhood experiences. The grants program provides Australia-wide assistance and targeted financial support in the areas of education, employment, health and wellbeing. Three types of grants are available: dental, personal development, and health and well-being. If you were in care in Queensland as a child, and would like to know more about the Forde Foundation, including eligibility and registering for grants, you can visit www.fordefoundation.org.au, or contact Vicky at Tuart Place.

Historical Photos: Thank you Michael Doonan

Many thanks to Michael Doonan for contributing images of Bindoon to our Historical Photos Collection. Michael says he was “like a Bower Bird” at Bindoon and has always been a keen collector of photos and memorabilia. The photos brought in by Michael included several from the early 1960s that we had not seen before. This one was taken in 1963 and shows L-R: Ian R, Joe M, Augustine R, Michael Doonan, John P and John N, about to leave for a WAFL game in Perth. This was a rare treat “if you behaved yourself”. Michael is an East Fremantle supporter, but is wearing a West Perth footy jumper in this picture. We are grateful to Michael and others who have kindly shared photos from their own collections. These images are unique and precious. We handle them with great care and ensure that originals are returned to the owner promptly. Please contact Vicky or Natalie at Tuart Place if you can contribute to our Historical Photos Collection.

Seeking contact: Benmore Children’s Home

Katherine West would like to have contact with others who were at Benmore Presbyterian Children’s Home in Caversham WA in the late 1950s. Katherine’s name at the time was Kathleen Edgar. She lived at Benmore for three years, from 1957, with two of her sisters: Leslie and Carol. If you can help, please call Katherine on 0488 549 392, or contact Tuart Place.