A pivotal moment in Australian history has just been commemorated – the 100th anniversary of the Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Training Home (Kinchela Boys Home), near Kempsey.
In recognition of this milestone, the Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC) is calling for the transformation of the site into a national centre for truth-telling and healing, honouring the experiences of those forcibly removed from their families and communities.
From 1924 to 1970, between 400 and 600 young boys, along with a small number of girls in its first year, were taken from their families and placed at Kinchela, located on the stolen land of the Dunghutti people on the Mid North Coast of NSW.
These children were victims of the Stolen Generations – an era marked by policies of cultural genocide aimed at reprogramming Indigenous children, in order to assimilate them into white Australian society.
Brutal conditions
The conditions within Kinchela were brutal, characterised by physical hardship, punishment, sexual, physical, emotional, psychological and cultural abuses that were meted out routinely.
Survivors, known as the Uncles, emerged with deep trauma, having lost vital connections to their families, culture, language, and land.
This intergenerational trauma continues to impact their descendants, underscoring the urgent need for healing and reconciliation.
The new vision for Kinchela is not just about remembering the past; it is about fostering healing for survivors, their families and the nation. The elderly survivors wish to convert the site into a museum and healing centre – an important space for reflection, education, and support for future generations.
To raise awareness and educate the public, they have also repurposed an old commuter bus into a mobile education centre, travelling across the country to share their stories.
Recognising its historical significance, Kinchela Boys Home was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in 2012 and designated as an Aboriginal Place in 2013. In 2022, the World Monument Fund included it on its World Monuments Watch as one of 25 globally significant heritage sites that require urgent preservation.
Agreement needed
KBHAC is actively seeking an agreement to own and manage the grounds and implement plans to address the legacy of violence against Stolen Generations survivors.
A dedicated museum and healing centre will serve as a ‘keeping place’ for vital information, fostering greater understanding of the traumatic impacts experienced by survivors and their communities. It will also ensure this history is never forgotten.
With only 49 of the 600 Uncles still alive – three of whom have passed away in the last three months – time is critical to ensure their stories are preserved and their wishes fulfilled.
KBHAC aims to raise $5 million for the restoration of Kinchela, transforming it into a national site of truth-telling and healing. The proposed Healing Centre will provide a safe environment for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, supported by advocates with lived experience.
As we approach this centenary, KBHAC invites all Australians to join them in acknowledging this painful chapter in our history and supporting the survivors, their descendants and families in their quest for justice, recognition, and healing.
Vision
Uncle Michael James ‘Widdy’ Welsh is a Kinchela Boys Home Survivor and Board Chair, as well as an advocate for healing and reconciliation.
‘As we commemorate 100 years since the opening of Kinchela Boys Home, we stand at a pivotal moment for healing and reconciliation,’ he said.
‘Our vision is to transform this site from a place of trauma into a house of healing – a national centre where our stories can be told and our culture can be celebrated. It is essential that we honour the experiences of those who came before us, ensuring their voices are heard and their truths recognised.
‘This site will serve not only as a memorial but as a beacon of hope for future generations, fostering understanding and connection to our culture and heritage.”
Uncle Rodger Jarrett is a Kinchela Boys Home survivor, board member and advocate for truth-telling and healing.
‘It’s a fact that the legacy of Kinchela Boys Home carries deep pain and trauma, but we have the power to change that narrative,’ he said.
‘As we approach this 100th anniversary, our mission is to turn this site into a national site of healing and truth telling – a place where our stories can be shared, understood, and honoured.
‘We want future generations to know the truth of what happened here and to recognise the strength and resilience of those who endured it,’ said Uncle Jarrett.
‘This transformation is not just about remembering the past; it’s about creating a future where healing and reconciliation can thrive.’
Tipping point
Dr Tiffany McComsey, CEO, Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation, said, ‘As we commemorate 100 years since the opening of Kinchela Boys Home, it is essential that we confront the profound impact this institution has had on countless lives.
‘Our vision is to transform this site into a national museum and healing centre – a place where the stories of survivors are honoured and where future generations can learn about the injustices of the past.
‘This project is a commitment to healing and reconciliation, ensuring that the voices of the Stolen Generations are never forgotten. By creating a space dedicated to understanding and connection, we empower our community to move forward together and build a brighter future.
‘We are at a tipping point,’ she said. ‘The last remaining survivors of the Stolen Generations, who endured the atrocities of Kinchela Boys Home, are growing fewer every year.
‘These brave Uncles have carried the burden of cultural, emotional, and physical trauma for decades, and their stories are crucial to Australia’s healing journey,’ said Dr McComsey.
‘The vision to transform Kinchela Boys Home into a national centre for truth-telling and healing offers a chance to break the cycle of multigenerational trauma that continues to affect their descendants.
‘However, without a decisive 10-year commitment to invest in the restoration of the site and the creation of a Healing Centre, this opportunity will slip away, and the strength and resilience of these survivors will not be properly honoured.
‘This site will serve as a powerful reminder of our past, a place where future generations can learn and reflect. This is our chance to stand on the right side of history – to support healing, truth-telling, and reconciliation.
‘Take action now by assisting the Uncles of KBHAC to reclaim their site and raising awareness of the urgency in breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma.’
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