Related content: Panel hears the pain: Stolen generations
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Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC) CEO Dr Tiffany McComsey says the recent passing of two members of the stolen generation highlights the urgent need for the NSW government to act.
Aunty Marjorie Woodrow recently passed away at the age of 93 and was farewelled in Bega, NSW. She was a survivor of both the Cootamundra and Parramatta Girls Homes.
Last week also saw the loss of one of the Kinchela Boys Home survivor’s sisters. She was also a survivor of the Parramatta Girls Home. The KBHC don’t wish to name her at this time due to cultural protocol.
An Upper House committee was set up to review the NSW Government's response to the 1997 Bringing Them Home report.
The committee visited Kempsey last year to speak with survivors before compiling the report.
The Reparations for Stolen Generations in NSW: Unfinished Business report was tabled to NSW parliament last month where the committee recommended that a financial reparation scheme - similar to those in place in Tasmania and South Australia - be established in the state.
It also called for the Federal Government to create a special health care card for survivors, giving them better access to health services and reduced costs for medication.
“The passing of these two aunties should signal to this government that clearly time is critical with the ageing of the Stolen Generations survivors,” Dr McComsey said.
“With the majority of the survivors now in the later stages of their lives the NSW Government must see the urgency and act on the recommendations in this report while survivors of the Stolen Generations are alive and can work in partnership with the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Leslie Williams and this government.”
After the tabling of the report, Mrs Williams, made a personal apology to survivors.
"I make my own apology to the stolen generations - past government practice had a profound effect on Aboriginal people,” she said.
“Stolen generations survivors have demonstrated exceptional strength and resilience in bringing their experience to light.”
