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MAY 2015
VOLUME 22
A W O R D F R O M S I M O N
Welcome to the Autumn edi on of the Newsle er. Once again we are enjoying some beau ful autumnal days. I have a basket of spring bulbs to plant which I will do in the next week or so, with my mother in law’s help.
In January, Open Place (quietly) celebrated its fi h anniversary this year. Open Place opened in January 2010 following advocacy by many of you for a specialist support service for Forgo en Australians. Open Place had been preceded by the service at VANISH and the Interim Service at the Centre for Excellence.
The service began with a variety of hopes and expecta ons. For some it was seen as the redress scheme that Forgo en Australians had been wai ng so long for. It was seen as a provider of unlimited funds to assist with the hardships that arose from a childhood spent in ins tu onal care.
For others Open Place provided an acknowledgment of lost childhoods and an opportunity to make connec ons with family and other Forgo en Australians.
As Open Place has grown and developed it is clear that the service is not a redress program. It is a support service that has a role in making a posi ve difference, o en in small ways, to the challenges Forgo en Australians face every day. As the manager of Open Place I am very aware that Open Place cannot meet all the needs of our steadily increasing number of service users.
When Open Place began five years ago just over 500 Forgo en Australians came across from the Interim Service. Our numbers today are almost 3000 and we are ge ng 40 new service users to Open Place every month.
Funding from our State Department of Human Services (rela vely generous compared to other states) has increased only by CPI over these five years. What once may have been provided via brokerage funding is no longer possible. As we are consistently saying to those, who request brokerage assistance, Open Place is o en only able to make a contribu on to the costs you may incur for medical, dental and other allied health treatments eg. hearing and mobility. Please see page 4 for informa on about support funding.
Open Place is ac vely talking with our funding bodies, DHS and DSS (who provide some funding from the Find and Connect program) for increased funding. We are also talking to DHS about improving and giving priority to our Forgo en Australians for access to public dental care.
PAGE 1
Inside this issue:
A word from Simon 1
Friday Cook up 2
Family Search 3
Redress & the
Royal
Commission / The
Support Team
4
Farewell from
Megan 5
Were you at /
Computer course 6
Poets Corner/Art
Corner
7
Support Group
Updates
8—9
Social Support
Groups 2015
10—11
Ac vi es 12
PAGE 2
A W O R D F R O M S I M O N . . c o n t i n u e d
Open Place is also playing a role with the Royal Commission into Ins tu onal Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in rela on to redress (see page 4 for more details about this).
Open Place, along with other support services Micah Projects (Lotus Place) and advocacy bodies AFA and CLAN, appeared at the recent public hearing into redress. We all had very similar messages. We believe that a na onal redress scheme should sit alongside the specialist support services in order to provide jus ce to Forgo en Australians. A na onal redress scheme should also include access to medical and dental services.
Open Place has been opera ng for five years. Much has changed. However, I want to acknowledge the contribu on made by Caroline Carroll, Lyn Langanke and Tracey Anderson: these are the remaining three from the original staff group. These three staff have made an enduring difference to the lives of many Forgo en Australians. Thank you.
FRIDAY COOK‐UP— a word from Liz
We have been spoilt at Friday Cook up with the abundance of beau ful fresh herbs growing in “Prossers Patch”. Every week this year we have added parsley, mint and basil to our salads and everything has tasted so good. Thanks Edie! During the warmer months we have enjoyed meals such as zucchini and bacon slice, macaroni cheese bake, burgers, sweet and sour chicken, chicken pie, lasagne, Thai chicken pa es and pork and apple pa es. Followed by desserts such as passionfruit glazed lemon curd sponge, rocky road cheesecake, jelly slice, chocolate tart and
pineapple and coconut pudding. We celebrated Easter with Hot Cross Bun and Bu er pudding and Easter Eggs.
One week Edie and I were joined by Claire from the Support Team which was a lot of fun and Claire learnt some great cooking ps from Edie. I would especially like to thank Vic who brings in fresh produce and bread every week, generously donated from Alf’s stall at the Queen Victoria Market. Thank you Vic
and Alf, the food is greatly appreciated by many of our service users each week.
Now that the cooler weather is
star ng to set in we are
looking forward to using some
fresh rosemary and thyme in
slow cooked casseroles, pies
and soups. We can’t forget
dessert, especially warm
puddings, perfect for winter.
Don’t forget that Friday Cook‐Up happens every Friday,
12.00pm—1.30pm, we would love to see you.
PAGE 3
MAY 2015
At Open Place, our Records Team can assist you with many of your family search enquiries. This can vary from assis ng you in ge ng your own Birth Cer ficate which you may never have had a copy of, to ge ng Birth, Death or Marriage Cer ficates and some mes other interes ng records for family members you were separated from and did not know as a result of being placed ‘in care’. These records may help in learning more about your family; who they were, where they came from, where they lived and worked... uncovering their stories and some mes memories from others who might have known them.
The searches for family members can take us through interes ng public records such as historical Births, Deaths and Marriages, Electoral Rolls, old newspapers and directories, in places such as the State Library of Victoria and the Public Records Office of Victoria.
We do not have a genealogy service, but can advise you on how to pursue your extended family research that bit further if you are interested in doing so.
The searches for family members are done with sensi vity and in confidence; they are not always straigh orward so can take some me to get results and unfortunately at mes results can be
quite limited due to privacy legisla ons and what may be available as a public record.
It is very special for us to be part of these journeys with you; to be
invited into your life stories and your memories and we hope that by
loca ng some records, it can help you to learn more about your
family.
FAMILY SEARCH
LEATHERWORK .. a word from Neil
The Leatherwork ac vity workshop is held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 10am – 1.00pm. Neil, the facilitator has over 30 years’ experience and he’s a really good bloke!!
There are a mul tude of ac vi es you can do within the group and Neil is only too happy to help you. This group is for guys and gals!
THINGS YOU CAN MAKE: If you want to make something from leather (eg. wallet, bag, belt, lighter or mobile phone covers – your imagina on is your only limit!) Just ask and we can organise it.
REPAIR: If you have a leather object that needs repairing, bring it in and I’m sure we can fix it.
Your a endance is most welcome, it’s a great way to spend the day! Please call Open Place on 1800 779 379 if you would like more informa on. Lunch is provided
PAGE 4
R E D R E S S A N D T H E R OYA L C O M M I S S I O N I N TO I N S T I T U T I O N A L R E S P O N S E S TO C H I L D S E X UA L A B U S E
Open Place, including a number of advocacy services, Alliance for Forgo en Australians (AFA)
and CLAN, were invited to speak at the Royal Commission public hearing into redress and Civil
Li ga on held in Sydney in April.
It is of concern that the Royal Commission’s Consulta on paper states that “it would not be
appropriate for us, (the Royal Commission) to consider making recommenda ons about redress
for physical abuse or neglect that is not related to abuse”.
A number of submissions including the presenta on from the advocacy groups, AFA and CLAN
challenged this view. It was evident that there were a significant number of presenta ons and
wri en submissions that had much in common. These shared issues are as follows:
An independent, na onal redress scheme
Inclusion of all forms of abuse in the redress scheme
Resourcing of exis ng, trusted specialist support services
Elimina on of deeds of release
AFA has wri en to a number of agencies, including CLAN, asking if they can join in signing a
le er to the Royal Commission that highlights the impera ve to include all forms of
ins tu onal abuse in a na onal redress scheme.
The Royal Commission is due to provide its final recommenda on report to the Australian
Government in the middle of the year.
Open Place would encourage all Forgo en Australians to contact their local member of
parliament to advocate for the points above, par cularly the inclusion of all forms of abuse in the
redress scheme.
T H E S U P P O R T T E A M
The Co‐ordinated Support team con nue to receive hundreds of requests for assistance each month. Our main priority with financial support is to support Forgo en Australians as much as possible with their health related needs.
The numbers of Forgo en Australians registered with Open Place con nue to grow each month, but unfortunately the funding is not growing with us! We therefore have to put limits on the amount of funding we can provide for all financial support. Open Place will con nue to assist where possible for costs rela ng to dental treatment, hearing aids, PBS medica on and GP/Specialist gap fees however in some cases due to the high costs of some services we may only be able to make a contribu on.
Please make sure that you consult Open Place for payment approval before a ending health related appointments.
PAGE 5
MAY 2015
T H E S U P P O R T T E A M … c o n t i n u e d
Michael Tu ass with the assistance of Deakin University has arranged for an Allambie Children’s Home reunion to take place.
The reunion will be held for any past residents of the Allambie Children’s Home/Recep on Centre on Saturday 29th August at 12noon at Deakin University Campus, 70 Elgar Road in Burwood, at the old Allambie site.
Please RSVP for catering as light refreshments will be provided. Please let us know if you would like to come along by calling Open Place on 1800 779 379 or 9421 6162
R E U N I O N
FA R E W E L L F R O M M E G A N
The Co‐ordinated Support team can help you in many other different ways. These include:
Assistance with comple ng housing applica on forms (remember we are not able to provide housing. Requests for housing will be referred to a provider of housing).
Linking with local community health services.
Linking with free or low cost recrea onal ac vi es.
Assistance with applica ons for aged care services, including some in home care and residen al care.
Assistance with financial management, including making contact with Centrelink or linking with financial counselling.
Wri ng court support le ers and/or linking with legal services.
When me allows, some outreach assistance.
Call Open Place on 1800 779 379 if you would like to have a chat to our Support Team.
It is with a mixed sadness and excitement that I write to you all to let you know that I have been offered a new posi on and that I will be finishing up my me at Open Place on 1 May 2015.
For the last three and a half years I have worked alongside so many Forgo en Australians in my roles in the Support Team, Royal Commission Team, and Dandenong and Gippsland Social Support Groups.
To all the wonderfully inspira onal Forgo en Australians I have met during my me at Open Place, I want to say thankyou. Thankyou for sharing your lives with me; the good, the bad, the past and the present. I have tremendously valued our chats, banter, the sharing of cuppas, memories and special moments. Thank you for invi ng me into your life‐ whether for a short or a long me. I will take the memories of your resilience, courageousness and generosity with me and treasure them always. I wish you all the best, in whatever the future may hold for you.
FA R E W E L L F R O M S A R A H
Sarah Quinn has sadly le us a er nearly three years at Open Place. Sarah was a valued member of both
the Admin team and the Support team during this me and she will be missed by us all. We
wish Sarah the best of luck for the future.
PAGE 6
W E R E YO U AT
Good Shepherd Albert Park—1959
Laura Smit would like to hear from anyone who was at Good Shepherd Albert Park in 1959. She would love to make contact with you if you were there.
Please ask for Anne at Open Place who will pass your details on to Laura. 1800 779 379
St Vincents Girls Home 1945—1948
Marg Wapshot is looking to connect with anyone that was in the St Vincents Girls Home between 1945‐ 1948.
Please ask for Lyn at Open Place who will pass on your details to Marg.
Bayswater Boys Home 1960’s
Norman is looking for Grant Edward Stuart, nickname Cheese, he was in Bayswater Boys Home in the 1960's. Please ask for Lyn at Open Place who will pass on your details to Norman.
Baltara and Kilmany Park Homes in approximately the 1970’s
Stories and memories from David Andrew Thompson of his life in the Baltara and Kilmany Park Homes in approximately the 1970’s have been found at a rental property in Victoria.
The owner of the property would like to pass these memories onto David; if anyone knows David or can contact him to inform him of this discovery, please let us know at Open Place on 1800 779 379 or email info@openplace.org.au
B OX H I L L B OY S R E U N I O N
Over 30 ex residents from Box Hill Boys Home plus partners and rela ves a ended the annual reunion
held at Wa le Park on the last Saturday of March. In pleasant weather the group enjoyed each others
company and stories and shared photos and newspaper clippings. Money for refreshments was supplied
by the Salva on Army and the Turners’ work on the BBQ was greatly appreciated. The group gave a
minutes silence to those ex residents who have died and most recently the group remembered Harry
Bond.
C O M P U T E R C O U R S E — A R E YO U I N T E R E S T E D ?
4 weeks star ng in July
Run by a qualified teacher at Open Place— PLACES ARE LIMITED.
Learn the basics of general computer skills; email; internet research; word processing and storing/sharing
photos. Anything you want to learn. You are welcome to bring your own laptop or use the Open Place computers. Lunch will be provided. PLEASE BOOK NOW. Call Open Place 1800 779 379
PAGE 7
MAY 2015
" Loving Alms "
I must go back I will not stop
Guardian of my li le soul
I dri back in me And wonder WHY
of those things way back when As only li le girls and boys
Not now as women and men
There I saw you too And I sadly smiled with you
As we cradled our li le selves A loving Angel's arms embrace As we li our li le selves away
On Guardian spirit's wings To the present me and place.
Kai Soukka "We the forsaken, not forgo en "
We welcome all contribu ons and encourage all our readers to contact Open Place if
you would like for us to publish a poem, art, drawing, story or song you would like to
share. Email us at: info@openplace.org.au or phone us on 1800 779 379 or fax us on
03 9429 5536
Thanks very much to Trevor
Smith for providing this
wonderful piece of art.
S U P P O R T G R O U P U P DAT E S
GIPPSLAND
The first group of the year kicked off at Morwell Neighbourhood centre in February where we had a delicious a ernoon tea. In March we met in Bairnsdale and ate a moreish sponge cake provided by Shirley P. On 9th April we met in Sale on a beau ful sunny day and had lunch by the lake.
Other news for the Gippsland SSG is that a decision has been made to base the group in Sale rather than rotate between Morwell, Bairnsdale and Sale. This decision was made a er much delibera on and Open Place has come to the conclusion that a monthly centrally located group will provide the best opportunity for people to take part. The group will s ll be held on the second Thursday of the month from 1.00 – 3.00 pm and unless otherwise no fied will take place at: Sale Neighbourhood House , 52 Leslie Street, Sale. I look forward to seeing you there!
2 0 1 5 C H R I S T M A S PA R T Y — S AV E T H E D AT E
Saturday 19th December
Malvern Town Hall
PAGE 8
SHEPPARTON
The Shepparton Social Support group kicked off the year with a wonderful group ou ng in February; first stop was at the Numurkah Museum where we took a look back through the town’s military and local history and were treated to the most impressive spread of morning tea thanks to the lovely ladies of the local Historical Society. A er our fill of tasty treats, ‘All Aboard’ onto the Cobram paddle steamer boat for a relaxing lunch and cruise on the Murray River. We finished the day with all things strawberry at the ‘Big Strawberry’ in Koonoomoo.
In March the group caught up again for a BBQ at the Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton; it was great to see so many familiar faces and lovely to see some new faces too; looking forward to seeing you all again soon.
The group will meet in May at the North Shepparton Community & Learning Centre; any new members are welcome to join us as we plan for the few months ahead.
WANGARATTA / WODONGA
The Wangara a/Wodonga group have farewelled summer with two very enjoyable BBQ’s in March and April! Thanks to Stefan and his cooking skills, some great local butchers meat, and everyone who brought nibbles that helped make the days a great success! The Wangara a/Wodonga group is an extremely suppor ve group. They are open, engaging
and welcoming to all newcomers. Some members of the group even catch up every Sunday in Wodonga for a coffee which is organised by the group
themselves and open to anyone who wishes to a end. The colder weather is coming which will bring us indoors for the coming months – nothing like a good pub meal to bring people together! Hopefully at our next mee ng we will finally agree on a much awaited ou ng!! I look forward to seeing you all soon!
BALLARAT
The Ballarat SSG have had a few ou ngs these past few months – in March we went with the Bacchus Marsh group to see The Lion King at the Regent theatre in Melbourne. It was a great show and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. In April we took the Ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento. Its such a peaceful trip. It was disappoin ng that we didn’t spot any dolphins this me. A erwards we enjoyed some lovely fish and chips for lunch followed by searching the local Op shops for treasures.
S U P P O R T G R O U P U P DAT E S
PAGE 9
MAY 2015
S U P P O R T G R O U P U P DAT E S
HORSHAM
This group has had three mee ngs this year; at the Horsham Community Club, at Murtoa by the lake having a BBQ and at a restaurant in St Arnaud called Lamar ne. All the mee ngs have been very well a ended with over 20 people at the January mee ng.
The May mee ng will be held at the Creekside Hotel in Warracknabeal. The group is growing in numbers and is very welcoming to new members.
SOUTH WEST VICTORIA SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUP
A group of Forgo en Australians, including Ron Collie, who live in and around Warrnambool have been asking Open Place for some me to begin a group in South West Victoria. In April Simon Gardiner the Open Place Manager visited the group. The group is well organised and meets in the Uni ng Church community hall. The group will meet on a monthly basis on the third Friday of the month. All are welcome. Please give Ron Collie (0476 643 704) or Open Place a ring if you would like more informa on.—1800 779 379
BACCHUS MARSH
Bacchus Marsh SSG recently went to Food Star in Sunshine for an all you can eat Asian buffet‐delicious! The highlight of the past few months would have to have been the Lion King at the Regent Theatre. We enjoyed an ou ng there with some of the Ballarat SSG. All the hype about the music and ac ng and costumes was jus fied. It was just wonderful and we really enjoyed it. The
singing was amazing and there was always something to see, with characters running on to the stage in their colourful costumes. It was truly awesome!
We have met up for our usual group shared lunch at Darley Neighbourhood House and hope to plan another ou ng within the next few months. Many group members also par cipated in the LOFA Survey.
We would welcome any sugges ons from you on how we can improve our service to be er suit your needs. Maybe you have some ideas for our Social Support Groups, the Newsle er, the Richmond Drop In Centre or perhaps our Workshops/Ac vi es? Let us know by calling 1800 779 379, by emailing info@openplace.org.au or wri ng directly to Open Place (Suite 1 / 8 Bromham Place, Richmond 3121). We would love to hear from you.
S U G G E S T I O N S
PAGE 10
S O C I A L S U P P O R T G R O U P S 2 0 1 5 Please contact Open Place on 1800 779 379 if you would like to find out about any of the Support
groups held throughout Melbourne and regional areas.
FRANKSTON ‐ first Friday of every month
Friday 5 June, 3 July, 7 August, 4 September, 2 October, 6 November.
Where: Frankston Library, 60 Playne Street, Frankston
Time: 1:30pm ‐ 3:00pm
GEELONG ‐ first Wednesday of every month
Wednesday 3 June, 1 July, 5 August, 2 September, 7 October, 4 November.
Where: South Barwon Community Centre, 33 Mount Pleasant Road, Belmont
Time: 1:00pm ‐ 3:00pm
NORTHERN/PRESTON ‐ third Friday of every month
Friday 15 May, 19 June, 17 July, 21 August, 18 September 16 October, 20 November, 18 December.
Where: Mee ng Room 2, Old Court House (1st Floor), 59A Roseberry Avenue, Preston
Time: 1:00pm ‐ 3:00pm
RICHMOND ‐ third Saturday of every month
Saturday 20 June, 18 July, 15 August, 19 September, 17 October, 21 November.
Where: Open Place, Suite 1 / 8 Bromham Place, Richmond
Time: 12:00pm ‐ 3:00pm
SHEPPARTON ‐ second Tuesday of every month
Tuesday 12 May, 9 June, 14 July, 11 August, 8 September, 13 October, 10 November.
Where: North Shepparton Community & Learning Centre, 10‐14 Parkside Drive, Shepparton
Time: 11.45pm ‐ 2:00pm
GIPPSLAND—SALE ‐ second Thursday of every month NEW DETAILS
The Gippsland Social Support group is now held at SALE only.
Thursday: 11 June, 9 July, 10 September, 8 October, 12 November.
Where: 19—23 Leslie Street, Sale
Time: 1.00pm—3.00pm
WARRNAMBOOL—third Friday of every month Friday 15 May, 17 June, 15 July, 19 August, 16 September, 21 October, 18 November. Where: Uni ng Church Community Hall, 115 Koroit Street, Warrnambool. Time: 12.00pm—2.00pm Please contact Ron Collie on 0476 643 704 for more informa on or Open Place on 1800 779 379
PAGE 11
Please contact Open Place on
1800 779 379 if you would like to find out about
any of the Support Groups
S O C I A L S U P P O R T G R O U P S 2 0 1 5
BACCHUS MARSH ‐ first Monday of every month
Monday 1 June, 6 July, 3 August, 7 September, 5 October, 2 November, 7 December.
Where: Darley Neighbourhood House, 33 Jonathon Drive, Darley
Time: 12:00pm ‐ 2:00pm
BALLARAT ‐ second Tuesday of every month
Tuesday 12 May, 9 June, 14 July, 11 August, 8 September, 13 October, 10 November.
Where: YMCA, 16 Nandiriog Avenue, Delacombe
Time: 11:00am ‐ 2:00pm
BENDIGO ‐ last Saturday of every month
Saturday 30 May, 27 June, 25 July, 29 August, 26 September, 31 October, 28 November.
Where: The Chutzpah Factory, 192 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo
Time: From 1:00pm
DANDENONG ‐ last Wednesday of every month
Wednesday 27 May, 24 Jume, 29 July, 26 August, 30 September, 28 October, 25 November
Where: Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18‐34 Buckley Street, Noble Park
Time: 12:00pm ‐ 2:00pm
HORSHAM/DONALD/WARRACKNABEAL ‐ fourth Friday of every month
Friday 22 May, 26 June, 24 July, 28 August, 25 September, 23 October, 27 November.
Loca ons and mes to be confirmed by flyer each month
WANGARATTA/WODONGA—third Tuesday of the month
May 19th – The Sydney Hotel, Wangara a 12.00pm
June 16th – The Commercial Club, Albury 12.00pm
July 21st – Wangara a, exact loca on to be decided.
August 18th – Fell mber Community Centre, Wodonga, 11:30am
Please ensure to RSVP if you would like to a end the groups!
Time: 11.30am—2.30pm
MAY 2015
PAGE 12
QUILTING GROUP
The Quil ng group will run at Open Place on the 2nd MONDAY of the month from 10.00am—
2.00pm
Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP if you wish to a end by calling 1800 779 379
LEATHERWORK GROUP
The leatherwork group will run at Open Place on the 3rd Tuesday of every
month from 10:00am ‐ 1:00pm
Lunch will be provided
Please RSVP if you wish to a end by calling 1800 779 379
MENS WALKING GROUP NO GROUP IN MAY
Come and join David on the last Tuesday of every month for a relaxing walk together. The aim is
to get out of the house, exercise, chat and have fun.
Meet at: Open Place at 1:00pm
Don’t forget to bring a hat, walking shoes and a drink bo le. Open Place
will provide sunscreen and an umbrella.
SINGING
The Singing group will run at Open Place on the 2nd Friday of every month
from 1.00pm—2.30pm. Come along and sing old favourites and your
choices with Victoria and James Clausen.
FRIDAY COOK‐UP
A lunch is provided every Friday and served from 12.00pm—12.30pm LUNCH PROVIDED EVERY
FRIDAY—COME ALONG FOR A DELICIOUS MEAL!!
A C T I V I T I E S
C O N TA C T U S Address: Open Place, Suite 1/8 Bromham Place Richmond VIC 3121
Phone: 1800 779 379 (free call)* or (03) 9421 6162
Fax: (03) 9429 5536
Website: www.openplace.org.au
Email: info@openplace.org.au
* Please remember if ringing from a mobile phone normal call charges will apply. The 1800 number is only free from a landline/house phone.
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