Forgotten Australians is a term applied to the more than 500,000 non-indigenous and indigenous children ,Former Child Migrants children who experienced care in institutions or outside a home separated from their biological family setting during the 20th century. Many of these children were abused, physically, emotionally, or sexually in care. Survivors to this day still suffer the effects of the child abuse.
By Deb Findlay
The Canvas was created for Forgotten Australian's from a Forgotten Australian.
The canvas is hand painted with rhinestones and mirrors.
The story behind the created art piece
I needed to create something special because of our long journey together we got our Apologies and for our families.
The tree and the circle represent family group of people called the Forgotten Australians.
The coloured leaves symbolize our living brother and sisters, the large rhinestones are the many who are no longer with us.
The butterflies represent goals for establishing change.
The butterfly symbolizes transformation and joy and new beginnings their wings are our wings to move forward.
The mirrors reflect our identity.
Flowers are a very important occasions in our lives Birthdays, Brothers and Sisters, each flower come with a meaning beauty, happiness, loneliness, Innocence, pride, emotions and remembrance.
Hearts and tear drops represent our love towards each other and the many tears we have shared along our long journey to hear the words “Sorry”.
The canvas is hand painted with rhinestones and mirrors.
The story behind the created art piece
I needed to create something special because of our long journey together we got our Apologies and for our families.
The tree and the circle represent family group of people called the Forgotten Australians.
The coloured leaves symbolize our living brother and sisters, the large rhinestones are the many who are no longer with us.
The butterflies represent goals for establishing change.
The butterfly symbolizes transformation and joy and new beginnings their wings are our wings to move forward.
The mirrors reflect our identity.
Flowers are a very important occasions in our lives Birthdays, Brothers and Sisters, each flower come with a meaning beauty, happiness, loneliness, Innocence, pride, emotions and remembrance.
Hearts and tear drops represent our love towards each other and the many tears we have shared along our long journey to hear the words “Sorry”.
The Senate Inquiry 2004.
"The Inquiry of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee in 2004 heard many people who were placed as children in the Australian institutional care to tell their stories – for many it was their first time. Sharing their experiences and caused great pain for them and their families. The report is titled, Forgotten Australians: A report on Australians who experienced institutional or out-of-home care as children. The Senate Committee reported that they had "received hundreds of graphic and disturbing accounts about the treatment and care experienced by children in out-of-home care. Their stories outlined emotional, physical and sexual abuse, and often criminal physical and sexual assault and neglect with little education and healthcare".
"The Inquiry of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee in 2004 heard many people who were placed as children in the Australian institutional care to tell their stories – for many it was their first time. Sharing their experiences and caused great pain for them and their families. The report is titled, Forgotten Australians: A report on Australians who experienced institutional or out-of-home care as children. The Senate Committee reported that they had "received hundreds of graphic and disturbing accounts about the treatment and care experienced by children in out-of-home care. Their stories outlined emotional, physical and sexual abuse, and often criminal physical and sexual assault and neglect with little education and healthcare".
The number of Institutions throughout Australia is over 800, sadly many have been demolished without knowing of their historical significance .