October 21st, 2001 Media Release

STOLEN CHILDREN OF THE BOMADERRY HOME REMEMBERED

Former residents of one of NSW's oldest Aboriginal children's homes will be re-united at Bomaderry today for a special commemorative ceremony to recognize and honor the Stolen Generations.

"It will be an extremely emotional time for people," said Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council Chairman, Sonny Simms.

Sonny has been planning the ceremony since the Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) bought the property in 1993. His own father and two uncles were residents of the home in its early years.

"My father was one of the first brought to Bomaderry in 1912 and things were tough then," Sonny said. "He spent 14 years of his life there, that's 14 wasted years as far as I'm concerned."

Established in 1908, Bomaderry United Aboriginal Mission (UAM) was one of the first institutions in NSW established for Aboriginal children removed from their families under the Aboriginal Protection Act of 1909.

"Only one of my father's brothers escaped from welfare because my Auntie managed to hide him. We'd all hide in the bushes when welfare came."

The event, which will include the unveiling of a memorial garden and plaque and a display of hundreds of photographs, has been widely anticipated by the local and broader Aboriginal community. Hundreds of people are expected to attend, some from as far away as Cape York.

Former mission workers and their children have also been invited and letters will be read from those who cannot attend the reunion. Among those attending is Alice who was taken from her mother at the age of 4 months, and grew up at the home. She later became a volunteer carer at Bomaderry.

For both Alice and Sonny, the day is about reconciliation.

"We'll remember the bad times, but there were good times and good friends too. It will be a turning point for reconciliation in the Nowra community. If we get bogged down with blame and anger, we will never go forward," Sonny said.

The day will begin with a Reconciliation March through Nowra, culminating in the official opening of a Memorial Garden on the site of the former home, and the planting of the "Sea of Hands" in its grounds.

March: 9 am Nowra Tourist Information Centre at the southern end of old Shoalhaven River Bridge, Princes Highway.

Ceremony: 11.30 am at the site of the former Bomaderry Home

59 Beinda Street, Bomaderry.