Marking the 17th Anniversary of the Apologies to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants

This year marks 17 years since the NSW Government Apologised to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants on 19 September 2009 and the Australian Government Apologised to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants on 16 November 2009.

The Apologies followed the landmark 2004 Senate Inquiry report titled Forgotten Australians: A report on Australians who experienced institutional or out-of-home care as children.

The Inquiry and Report highlighted the complete failure of the child protection system to keep children safe from harm, finding that in fact the majority of children in the system were subjected to severe abuse, neglect, maltreatment and cruelty.

The term “Forgotten Australians” refers to adults who were in children’s homes, orphanages, similar child welfare institutions and foster homes in Australia before 1990.

“Former Child Migrants” are adults who were sent from Britain and Malta to Australia (and other Commonwealth Countries) as unaccompanied children and placed in children’s institutions.

Within these environments, children suffered widespread and severe abuse. Their childhoods were devoid of love and nurturing, and were often extremely traumatic, which is why Governments, who had a duty of care over these children, eventually apologised. The impacts from their childhood trauma can stay with them throughout their lives. That is why services like Wattle Place exist. To support them with aspects of their lives that they struggle with due to their past.

On this 17th Anniversary, we acknowledge the strength and fortitude of Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants. For the hard work and commitment it took to make the Senate Inquiry and Apologies happen and their continued advocacy.