National Sorry Day and Walking alongside past dormitory residents
Today, on National Sorry Day, we acknowledge the Stolen Generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families and communities under Australian government laws. We acknowledge and reflect on the pain, suffering, trauma and loss experienced by generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because of these actions.
National Sorry Day is held each year on the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report in the Australian Parliament. Twenty-five years on, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be overrepresented in the child protection system.
Walking alongside past dormitory residents
Cherbourg Boys and Girls Dormitory Ltd, located in south-east Queensland, provides support and healing to those who were sent to live at the Cherbourg Boys Dormitory or Cherbourg Girls Dormitory, and their descendants. Core programs are centred around remembering the generation of First Nations’ young people and children who spent their early years separated from their families and communities.
Senior Community Development Officer, Eddie, (far left) meeting with Cherbourg Boys and Girls Dormitory Ltd committee members in Meanjin, Brisbane, Queensland.
The Aboriginal committee who run Cherbourg Boys and Girls Dormitory Ltd approached Community First Development seeking assistance with a Business Plan. Senior Community Development Officer, Eddie, met with the community for a yarn, where the committee members explained their goal for the Business Plan to capture the growth and development of their core programs, and enhance their ability to source vital funding. It was an important time to connect and hear the stories shared by committee members—about life in the dormitories and the impact this has had on former residents, their families and community.
To get the ball rolling, the committee chose to work with our skilled volunteer, Deb. They collaborated to develop a comprehensive five-year Business and Strategic Plan outlining the community’s vision, plus short-term and long-term strategic priorities.