DOCUMENT 5A
Part 2—The Eastern States: South Australia,
Victoria, Tasmania, Canberra, New South Wales and Queensland
THE CONTINUING
SCENEAs mentioned in Part I of
this Report, about two thirds of the former child migrants were
placed in institutions in Western Australia. This means that about
one third are spread variously across the south and eastern parts
of Australia. This is a vast geographical area and one has to
be mindful that it is difficult to find large centres or concentrations
of former Catholic child migrants. Nevertheless, it can be assumed
that the sort of individual services required will be similar.
As in Western Australia, the difficulties found in tracing and
finding families of origin are the greatest cause of anger and
frustration. There are also background indications of unrest and
a number of possibilities of further allegations of abuse involving
religious, both male and female.In Part 2 of this report there
are, as expected, no materially different issues. There have,
however, been opportunities to explore some of the tensions between
the "social work" approach and the "official"
approach.
THE FINDINGSWithin
the hierarchy I found extreme cautiousness. This is not necessarily
a criticism. It would be easy to under-estimate the intense pressure
on the Church in Australia at the moment. There are currently,
and have been, a number of extremely difficult abuse cases involving
clergy (not connected with the former child migrants issue) which
are keeping the bishops very much on the defensive. The media
is at the ready to take any opportunity to embarrass the church
and has no hesitation in sensationalising reports in a salacious
way.Lawyers acting for the Church are having to counter commercially
motivated lawyers acting on a "no win, no fee" basis.
There are allegations that the legal system in Australia has become
too American and is interested not in the welfare of clients but
in finding pots of gold to chase after. In the current climate
public figures, politicians, corporations, and the Church are
seen as "fair game". As a result of the bishops have
become very sensitive in avoiding saying or doing anything which
might be seen as providing a further opportunity for legal action.As
far as the institutions are concerned, there is a realism that
further actions may result from any court successes against the
Christian Brothers. This is thought to equally effect both male
and female religious institutions. On the other hand I found an
openness and willingness to share any information in their possession.
Some of the institutions have carefully organised records though,
it must be said, they usually contain very little information.
Others have sent their files relating to former child migrants
to the diocesan offices of Centacare so that potential enquirers
can more readily access them.There is some suspicion in Church
and institution circles about the Child Migrant Trust (Margaret
Humphreys). Views expressed by individuals and former migrants
were fairly equally divided. At the one extreme were those who
felt that Margaret Humphreys had made a career out of former child
migrants and was now part of the "power and abuse" set
up, controlling information and keeping former migrants dependent.
At the other end of the spectrum were those who genuinely felt
that the Child Migrant Trust provided an excellent, unbiased,
independent service which had enabled a large number of family
reunions and, through group therapy, had brought about wonderful
improvements in self-awareness and personal development.My own
perception has remained constant. We need to co-operate fully
with enquiries made on behalf of former child migrants through
the Child Migrant Trust. The essence of this thinking is the importance,
particularly where former child migrants feel angry or hurt, of
providing a choice of services. I do not, however, feel it appropriate
that the Child Migrant Trust should be the only agency dealing
with enquiries. It is the duty of all agencies and institutions
to continue to offer services to former clients or residents.It
does, however, seem that some individual institutions or organisations
are not fully recognising the needs of the former migrants. Many
feel that they have little information and have not connected
with counselling or tracing services. In fairness, all the institutions
I visited felt that the demand was quite minimal and, over the
years, they had had contact with a good proportion of former residents,
both former child migrants and others. One very serious comment
made by Barnardo's concerned the defective quality of information
kept on individual files. Barnardos presumed that all the information
regarding health, medical treatment, education, reports, holidays,
specific events etc. would have been routinely kept at the time
by any reputable institution. They criticised the grave lack of
wisdom or forethought by superiors or head-teachers in allowing
this material to be lost or destroyed.As far as the girl former
child migrants are concerned, there was evidence that many of
those who had reached fair educational standards often had successful
careers and had married well. Some of those expressing dissatisfaction,
or making allegations, have had less fulfilling lives. One particularly
positive outcome to the visit has been the total co-operation
of the diocesan Centacare offices. With the help of Centacare
Australia it should be possible to put in place a very viable
network of professional services to deal with future enquiries.
The necessary skills are available and I have confidence that
they can be successfully co-ordinated. Both locally and centrally
there is an appreciation of the situation and a willingness to
provide suitable services.I have a real concern about the possibility
of some information dealing with migration issues being inadvertently
lost. I have no substantial evidence as to the existence of further
relevant records, only the strong rumour to suggest that some
may exist. On the basis of this rumour (and because of the importance
of such information should the rumour be found to be true) I have
alerted the Church authorities at the highest level to ensure
the safety of these records should they in fact exist. Fuller
details of these concerns will be found in the running record
of the meetings during this part of the visit.(To avoid repetition
the following sections of this report should be read in conjunction
with Part I.)
THE MAIN
ISSUESThe main issue, as in Western
Australia, is about the provision of services in respect of personal
and family information and making contacts with family in the
UK. This is felt to be the least that should be done to redress
some of the perceived damage caused by the child migration scheme.The
frustration, anger and confusion of former child migrants is,
rightly or wrongly, usually aimed at the Church. It is not pastorally
mature to take up a position on this, defensive or otherwise.
There is a need to take responsibility for the serious omission
in keeping satisfactory records. This is a legitimate reflection
on professional practice in the past.There are real issues in
evolving a way forward which can heal some of the hurt and make
up for some of the damage, whether or not caused through actions
of the Church or its institutions. There is a need to listen and
believe. The question of historical accuracy or defending the
circumstances of the migration is not relevant to the individual.
Nor does it reflect badly on the Church to acknowledge what makes
a person feel the way they do.Church authorities appear to be
paralysed in taking part in any serious pastoral solution because
of the fear of opening wider possibilities of litigation. It is
easy for an outsider to see things in an over simplistic way,
but I am seriously convinced that there is a primary obligation
to view the needs of these former migrants from a pastoral viewpoint.
The seeming inability to move in any other than a legal framework
is having a deleterious effect on the Church, and in the long
term could bring further discredit.In the global context the issue
of the former child migrant is seen to be of small significance
considering the total numbers involved in the post-war settlement
of hundreds of thousands of refugees, displaced persons, and migrants.
It was, however, a scheme in which the Catholic Church in England
and Australia was significantly involved. For many of those involved
they are not talking about the past or about history. For them
this particular past is seriously impacting upon their present.
PRACTICAL WAYS
FORWARDThe provision of information
leaflets is of paramount importance. Some immediate research will
be needed to work out content and targeting. The networks are
now informally in place, but will need to be put on to a more
formal footing. It is suggested that Centacare Australia will
help with the format and printing arrangements.It could be possible
to follow up the matter of funding for visits by former child
migrants to Britain. No formal co-operation between the various
religious bodies on the question of funding visits to England
yet exists. On an individual basis much is already happening,
but a more uniform approach would be helpful.Every agency and
institution should have, as part of its protocol, a designated
person who, will either provide services to an enquirer, or will
be able to assist them in obtaining relevant information. It is
crucial that enquirers are not handed on elsewhere, but are "led
by the hand" in their search for information and for family.Christopher
Fisher27 March 1995
FOOTNOTES1. The visit
to Western Australia was undertaken jointly by Canon Christopher
Fisher and Mrs Mary Gandy. The remainder of the visit to South
Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Canberra, New South Wales and Queensland,
was undertaken alone by Canon Fisher.2. A vast area, geographically,
historically and socially, has been covered in a relatively short
visit. There was no working model of measurement or framework
on which to base this investigation. It may be found that some
of the statements or conclusions are fairly generalised. There
has been a genuine effort to report faithfully the situation as
recounted from many different angles. It has not been appropriate
to take sides.3. Much of the benefit of this visit will not be
visible in the report, but will have already taken place through
the personal contacts made and by raising the profile and the
needs of former child migrants in the minds of politicians, Church
authorities, religious bodies, agencies and individuals.4. The
visit met with universal enthusiasm. It is hoped this report will
be similarly received.
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