Melbourne
Pg. 135. When I first met my mother - when I was 14 - she wasn't what they said she was. They made her sound like she was stupid, you know, they made her sound so bad. And when I saw her she was so beautiful. Mum said, 'My baby's been crying' and she walked into the room and she stood there and I walked into my - I walked into my mother and we hugged and this hot, hot rush just from the tip of my toes up to my head filled every part of my body - so hot. That was my first feeling of love and it only could come from my mum. I was so happy and that was the last time I got to see her. When my mum passed away I went to her funeral, which is stupid because I'm allowed to go see her at her funeral but I couldn't have that when she requested me. They wouldn't let me have her. Confidential evidence 139, Victoria: removed 1967; witness's mother died two years after their first and only meeting. Pg. 136. I got told my Aboriginality when I got whipped and they'd say, 'You Abo, you nigger'. That was the only time I got told my Aboriginality. Pg. 241. The Government has to explain why it happened. What was the intention? I have to know why I was taken. I have to know why I was given the life I was given and why I'm scarred today. Why was my Mum meant to suffer? Why was I made to suffer with no Aboriginality and no identity, no culture? Why did they think that the life they gave me was better than the one my Mum would give me? And an apology is important because I've never been apologised to. My mother's never been apologised to, not once, and I would like to be apologised to. Thirdly, I've been a victim and I've suffered and I'll suffer until the day I die for what I've never had and what I can never have. I just have to get on with my life but compensation would help. It doesn't take the pain away. It doesn't take the suffering away. It doesn't take the memories away. It doesn't bring my mother back. But it has to be recognised. And I shouldn't forget counselling. I've had to counsel myself all my life from a very young age. And in the homes I never showed my tears ... I've been told that I need to talk about my childhood. I need to be counselled for me to get back on with my life. Confidential evidence 139, Victoria: woman removed at 12 months in 1967.
135, 136, 241
12 months Confidential evidence 139