appendix 13
Memorandum by Tardun Old Boys Association
welfare of former Child Migrants (cm 123)The
Tardun Old Boys' Association was formed in 1982 and its members
comprise mainly of former British Child Migrants.The role of this
organisation is one of fellowship and support for members and
family gatherings and mutual support in areas of . . .Family breakdown
—Homelessness
—Drug and alcohol abuse
—Illness or hospitalisation
—Fund raising for needy members
—Natural family reunionThe organisation seeks to maintain
contact with as many ex-Tardun residents as possible and holds
regular family/social events for the benefit of all members.The
Tardun Old Boys' Association appreciates this opportunity to provide
a submission to the Health Committee and makes the following suggestions.So
far the British Government has devoted minuscule funding to the
needs of former Child Migrants primarily in the areas of counselling
and family tracing. Whilst these are important areas for funding
there is a need to address a wider range of concerns and problems.
As a first step the British Government should initiate an inquiry
to establish the needs of former Child Migrants. No substantial
or complete inquiry in this area has been held to date.In our
experience most of the former Child Migrants have established
some contact or have met relatives through use of their own resources
and most have achieved this without the assistance of agencies.In
our view those areas which require urgent attention are as follows.
1.# FAMILY REUNION
(a) Many people who having established contact
with siblings or relatives lack the financial resources to ever
make physical contact with their families. Frustration usually
leads to excessive debt (to borrow funds from lending institutions)
and often an inability to repay those funds on their return. The
whole family suffers as a result.
(b) There are still people who have never attempted
to make contact with their birth families and have never established
their own families here in Australia. Often these people suffer
from homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse and deep psychological
problems. Many of these people live on the margin of society and
have never come to terms with their transportation.
2. A CENTRAL DATA
BASE
(a) It should be possible for an independent
organisation with no links to any of the agencies to establish
a comprehensive data base comprising
History
Education
Health
Shipping details
(b) A Central Data Base with appropriate details
on individuals would allow easier access to other important matters
such as "citizenship rights," "passports"
and information useful for family tracing. It would also provide
an individual with a choice of agencies he/she may wish to employ
to trace family and relatives.
3. RECONCILIATION
(a) In the interests of reconciliation and goodwill,
an apology from British, Australian and all other Agencies involved,
to those people who were transported as children to various commonwealth
countries during the nineteenth and twentieth century.
(b) Develop co-operative relationships between
organisations seeking to assist former Child Migrants.
4. CODE OF
PRACTICEThe establishment of a
Code of Practice to be followed by all agencies involved with
Child Migrants. In our experience there are some aspects of concern
particularly where an agency demands total exclusivity and control
over an individuals attempt to trace relatives and family. The
signing of exclusivity contracts binding an individual to one
agency is a troubling development and should not be encouraged.
Recommendations1. The
British and Australian Governments have a clear responsibility
to fund a range of activities some of which are being carried
out by Child Migrant organisations who receive no public funding.
The Australian Child Migrant Foundation is one such organisation
and should be funded so it may continue with its family reunion
programmes.2. A joint British and Australian Government inquiry
to establish the needs of former Child Migrants.3. The establishment
of a Central Data Base by an independent organisation funded jointly
by British and Australian Governments.4. A joint British and
Australian Government apology.5. The provision of a neutral umpire
or honest broker in cases where agencies have disagreements. This
neutral umpire also to have the power to enforce a common Code
of Practice to ensure a predictable course of action especially
in the area of counselling and family tracing.6. Professional
counselling and therapy to be made available to all former Child
Migrants.7. Make available, accommodation for former Child Migrants
visiting homelands for reunion.
Attached to this submission is a copy of the Tardun
Old Boys' Association Submission forwarded to the Western Australian
Government in 1996 for their Inquiry into Child Migration.*We
trust that our submission will be afforded due consideration.For
and on behalf of the tardun old boys' association.
February 1998
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