Stolen Generations News

Welcome to the National Sorry Day Committee

The Bringing them home report (BTH Report) recommended (Recommendation No 7.a) that a National Sorry Day be held each year on 26 May "to commemorate the history of forcible removals and its effects." As a result of this recommendation the community-based organisation the National Sorry Day Committee (NSDC) was formed.
The NSDC was established in 1998 and has been incorporated since January 2001. From the beginning, the NSDC has continued through the commitment, dedication and involvement of both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians. The NSDC is unique because its networks and voluntary memberships comprises of First Nations Peoples of Australia, including Stolen Generations and members of the Broader Australian Community. It operates on a reconciliatory basis that upholds a positive partnership between First Nations Peoples of Australia and the Broader Australian Community.
Since its' initial inception, there have been various State and Territory affiliations. In addition to these affiliations the NSDC has also gathered a varied and wide support base from numerous organisations who are also committed to bringing about change that supports healing, equality, justice and the human rights of Australia's First Nations Peoples. Through our members, associations, partnerships and supporters the NSDC continues its ongoing commitment to work with the Stolen Generations, their Families and Communities.
The NSDC also continues to advise and consult with Government Departments, Social Justice and Community Organisations, Education Facilities, and the broader Australian Community in order to ensure that the Sorry Day Commemorations continue and that all 54 recommendations of the BTH report are finally achieved by 2017 - the time frame set by the NSDC 'WALK Your TALK & Bring Them Home' 10 Year Campaign.

Latest NSDC News

WHATS HAPPENING

NEW MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS FOR NSDC

To find out more and to become a member click on membership in the menu above

First Anniversary of Stolen Generations Reparations Tribunal Bill - September 24^th

VISIT: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/stolen-generations-reparations

Western Australian Bringing Them Home Committee Petition tabled on September 16^th 2009

Senator Rachel Siewert tabled a petition calling for the Government to implement all 54 Recommendations of the 'Bringing them home' Report on September 16^th

More than 200 signatures were collected on the GIANT piece of Callico in Perth on Sorry Day 2009

Healing Foundation Report Presentation to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs on 24^th September

Further information can be obtained by emailing: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

NSW Government Apologises to Forgotten Australians

Hundreds of people attended a special service in Sydney's Botanic Gardens on Saturday 19th September to witness the NSW Premier Nathan Rees issue a formal apology to the state's Forgotten Australians. An estimated 200,000 people grew up in orphanages, children's and foster homes in New South Wales with many suffering abuse and mistreatment.

The Community Services Minister, Linda Burney, says a $9 million funding boost will help people access personal information and dedicated counselling. "Part of the apology is the recognition that this was a pretty unpleasant experience for many people - it's part of our history," she said. "There'll also be a lot of work done around providing case work for people that really have struggled with their experience."

National Sorry Day Committee Welcomes Forgotten Australians Apology

The National Sorry Day Committee joins the Alliance of Forgotten Australians and others, as they welcome the Rudd Governments announcement to implement the first recommendation of the 2004 Senate report ‘Forgotten Australians’, by issuing a formal Statement of Acknowledgement and Apology to over 500,000 Forgotten Australians.

Indigenous Co-Chair of the National Sorry Day Committee, Helen Moran today said, “This Apology will be delivered to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders children as well as the non-Indigenous Australians who have suffered trauma and abuse through their experiences of institutionalisation and foster care.

FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIANS APOLOGY SURVEY

The Government has committed to make an Apology before the end of the year to Forgotten Australians including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and Child Migrants

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO INPUT IN A SURVEY ABOUT THE APOLOGY

SURVEY

Please mail or email your completed responses by the 1st October 2009 to either:

The Alliance for Forgotten Australians, PO Box 83, Campbell ACT 2612 or directly to
Children's Policy Branch, FaHCSIA, Box 7576 Canberra Mail Centre ACT 2610
www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/.../ForgottenAustraliansQA.aspx

Forgotten Australians:

The people who identify as Forgotten Australians are now generally aged from around 40 years old. They are the survivors of the roughly 500,000 children who experienced institutional or out-of-home care as children between the years 1930 and 1970. Many of these children experienced abuse and neglect whilst in care. www.forgottenaustralians.org.au.

Stolen Generations:

The term Stolen Generations generally refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who were forcibly removed from their families and communities by government, welfare or church authorities as children and placed into institutional care or with non-Indigenous foster families. The forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children began as early as the mid-1800s and continued until 1970. This removal occurred as the result of official laws and policies aimed at assimilating the Indigenous population into the wider community.

OTHER CONTACTS

FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIANS http://www.forgottenaustralians.com.au

FAMILIES AUSTRALIA                 http://www.familiesaustralia.org.au
Ph: 02 6273 4885

CLAN                                           http://www.clan.org.au
Ph: 02 9709 4520
Mob: 0425 204 747

(HAN)                                           http://www.han.merivale.org.au
Ph: 07 3844 0966

INTERIM SERVICES FOR FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIANS VICTORIA
http://www.cyf.vic.gov.au/placement-support/care-leavers-forgotten-australians
EMAIL: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ph: 1800 509 203   or    (03) 9614 1577