Forgotten Australians are Now Remembered Australians

By BARBARA LANE
Published: January 22, 2010

On November 16, 2009, a National Apology was made to those called the Forgotten Australians. The apology came from both sides of Parliament.

The forgotten Australians were the approximately 500,000 Australian children who spent time in children’s institutions and out-of-home care during the last century, many of whom report histories of severe abuse and neglect.

During his speech, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that he hoped those he was addressing would, from now on, be known as “Remembered Australians”.

The then leader of the opposition, Malcolm Turnbull also made a speech which many system-leavers found very moving. One of the most important things said was, “We believe you”.

In the Northern Rivers, a group has been established to provide information, support and referral to those who were under state care arrangements during the last century and who live or work in the Northern Rivers area.

The group has chosen the name, “Now-remembered Australians” and was formed after the national apology took place.

Now-Remembered Australians (NRA) as a group aim towards establishing a shop front in Lismore and providing assistance and advocacy for remembered Australians. They are currently meeting fortnightly at Caddies in Carrington St, Lismore, at 1pm on the second and fourth Fridays of each month. They also hold a barbecue on the third Saturday of the month at 2pm in Heritage Park.

NRA can be contacted at nowrememberedaustralians@gmail.com

by writing to:

Now-Remembered Australians

PO Box 894

Lismore 2480

You can also visit the website at http://www.nowrememberedaustralians.com

Reactions to the apology have been varied, and there are those who will never be able to accept it, whose hurt and shame runs too deep for mere words to affect.

Others feel it has been a necessary step on the road to recovery, but that much more is needed.

NRA member Graeme Schipp grew up in homes in NSW. He did not hear about the National Apology in time to attend in person. In fact, many people did not hear about the apology until after the event, and there will be those who are still unaware it has occurred. Graeme said, “The NRA group has been really helpful and supportive and understanding, and we need that.”

Other members expressed gratitude for the relief the group has given them from isolation and associated depression.

The Commonwealth Government has, so far, refused to offer financial redress to former forgotten Australians, and the states are varied in their responses. Some have set up redress schemes and some have not. New South Wales does not yet have a redress scheme, but recently issued a state apology to care leavers.

Queensland Apology to Children in Mental Hospitals

By BARBARA LANE
Published: April 11, 2010

The Queensland Government has given an Apology to state wards who were placed in adult mental institutions last century..

Qld to Apologise to State Wards in Adult Mental Health

By BARBARA LANE
Published: January 23, 2010

Children under state care orders who were inappropriately placed in adult mental health facilities in Queensland during the last century will finally receive the apology they have lobbied for.