Stolen Generations Program brings healing to Ballarat
news Spring 2014
Stolen Generations Program Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative
Story by Karen Monaghan, Stolen
Islander Children from their families
missions. This is why we refer to the
Generations Worker - Ballarat and
was held in the 11th of May
Ballarat Orphanage as the dumping
1995. From this Inquiry, fifty-four
ground for our children.
District Aboriginal Co-operative What does the term ‘Stolen Generation’ mean?
The term Stolen Generation is given to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their families and placed within institutions. The ages of children ranged from days old to 17 years! Culture, language, family and their dignity were stripped from the children never to be found again in some cases. How the Stolen Generation Program began
A National inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait
recommendations were made. The Stolen Generations: Bringing Them Home Worker or Social Emotional Well-being (SEWB) Worker and programs were formed. Royal Commission into
Institutional Responses into Child Sex Abuse
Ballarat had seven different orphanages and children’s homes within the region. Ballarat Orphanage had over 1000 Aboriginal children pass through their doors from 1865 – 1980. Most of the children were removed from missions across Victoria, and some from interstate
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. VACCHO is the peak body for Aboriginal Health in Victoria.
Within the orphanages and children’s homes have been countless reports of alleged sexual abuse, so Ballarat is going to be one of the focal points for this Inquiry. The Aboriginal community of Ballarat have a history with institutions, to the point where there are countless reports now being documented. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Vibrant, healthy, selfdetermining Aboriginal communities