Submissions Library

Thomas Marks is a Wotjobaluk/Gunaikurnai man.

In this video submission, originally produced for the Disability Royal Commission, Thomas decribes the lifelong impact of being part of the Stolen Generations.

The Find & Connect web resource is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services to document the history of child welfare in Australia. The resource assists people who grew up in out-of-home care, including Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and members of the Stolen Generations, to discover and access information and records about their time in care. It is managed by the Find & Connect web resource team, based at the University of Melbourne.

This submission makes recommendations to address the ongoing inequality between Victorian First Peoples and other Australians trying to discover their history in care, their families, and their experience of records access.

Charmaine Sellings lives in Lake Tyres and works at the Lake Tyres Aboriginal Trust. Her grandfather was stolen generation from Healesville but was raised by Elders at the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust, and her Grandmother was a Kurnai woman and born at the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust.

This submission describes the impact of ongoing racism, child removal and intergenerational trauma. It make suggestions for change including an increase in funding and respect.

This submission describes the shame and hurt a family experienced from having family members displaced and stolen, and the challenges of reconnection.

Maria Van Zyl is from the Stolen Generation.

This submission outlines her experience growing up in out-of-home care, her attempts to reconnect with her father and obtain her files from welfare.

Bradley Collins is a proud Koori Man from Melbourne. This submission details his family history as members of the Stolen Generations, the destruction of cultural history and his dreams of justice.

Arron Ryan is a proud Keerraywoorroong Gundjitmara man. This submission outlines Arron’s connection to his Aboriginal culture and how he sees his identity; his family story; his observations of injustices against Aboriginal people; and his hopes for Aboriginal people in this country.

Aunty Daphne Milward is a Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri woman.

This submission tells the story of Aunty Daphne’s life including her education, working life, involvement with the Aboriginal Advancement League, insights from being a prison visitor, and the interconnectedness of community.

May Pearce is named after her mother, Marian Pearce whose parents were Albi and Edna Solomon. May’s father is Robert James Pearce from Robinvale, Muthi Muthi place.

May’s submission discusses racism and intergenerational trauma. It also talks about her hopes for Aboriginal people.

Uncle Jim Berg is a Gunditjmara Elder. He was the founder of the Koorie Heritage Trust Inc and was involved in the establishment of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service. Uncle Jim was the inaugural Chair of the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council and served as a Council member for 12 years.

This submission is a transcript of an interview between Uncle Jim Berg and Yoorrook Chair Eleanor Bourke. The submission also includes poetry by Uncle Jim, material from the Stolen Generations Taskforce and Aboriginal Children’s Research Project, historical documents relating to the Protection Act and the 1967 referendum, and a masacre map.