NSW Health apologises to the Bourke Stolen Generation

Right to left: Lyiata Ballengary, Elaine Elwood, Richard Campbell , Allen Cooper, Harry Ritchie, Pat Canty, David Johnson, Robert Young, Roger Jarret, Angela Bates and Lesley Franks. Photo: Beverley Callow

Story by Tricia Duffield and Beverley Callow

A quiet revolution has happened across NSW with acknowledgement of the role hospitals played during the dark years of forced removal of children from families – the Stolen Generation.

In an emotional ceremony at the Bourke Hospital last week, a plaque honouring the survivors of the Stolen Generation was unveiled, which will stand as a permanent reminder of a chapter of Bourke’s history that still impacts many locals.

Even more powerful was the public apology from NSW Health, which was read out during the ceremony.

The unveiling included an address by Kinchela Boys Home survivor Roger Jarret, who expressed the impact of being displaced from family and country during his childhood. Roger was one of many boys from the Bourke region who grew up in Kinchela Boys Home, about 20km northeast of Kempsey. […]

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