One hundred years have passed since the establishment of Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Home, a place forever marked by the heart-wrenching experiences of the Stolen Generations. The site stands as a stark reminder of Australia’s troubled past, where young Indigenous boys were forcibly removed from their families and subjected to unimaginable abuse. Today, the few remaining survivors, known as the Uncles, are leading a powerful push to transform Kinchela into a national centre for truth-telling and healing.
Between 1924 and 1970, Kinchela held hundreds of Indigenous children, taken from their families as part of the policies aimed at assimilating them into white Australian society. These children, most of them boys and a few girls in its first year, faced conditions that were nothing short of harrowing. Physical punishment, emotional and psychological abuse, and cultural erasure were routine, leaving deep scars on the Uncles who survived. The trauma, unfortunately, did not end there, with its impact continuing to ripple through their families and communities today.
The Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC) has long been a voice for the survivors, advocating for the conversion of the site into a national museum and healing centre. Their vision is to create a space where future generations can learn about the Stolen Generations, reflect on the impact of those times, and foster an environment of healing and reconciliation. The Uncles believe that by reclaiming the site and transforming it into a place for truth-telling, the long-standing pain can begin to heal. As Uncle Michael James ‘Widdy’ Welsh, Board Chair of KBHAC, eloquently put it, “Our vision is to transform this site from a place of trauma into a house of healing.”
Time is of the essence. Out of the estimated 600 boys who passed through the gates of Kinchela, only 49 are still alive. In the past few months, three of the Uncles have passed away, adding to the urgency of preserving their stories and honouring their legacy. The survivors are calling for a $5 million investment to restore Kinchela and establish a museum and healing centre, ensuring that this dark chapter in Australian history is never forgotten.
Already, Kinchela has received recognition for its historical importance. Listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in 2012 and designated as an Aboriginal Place in 2013, it was also named one of the 25 most important global heritage sites by the World Monument Fund in 2022. But recognition alone is not enough. As Uncle Rodger Jarrett, a survivor and board member, said, “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.”
The Kinchela Boys Home project is about more than preserving history; it is a commitment to breaking the cycle of trauma that has affected generations of Indigenous Australians. A dedicated healing centre would provide much-needed support to the descendants of the Stolen Generations, offering a safe environment where they can reconnect with their culture and heritage. It would also serve as a powerful educational tool, helping all Australians understand the atrocities of the past and fostering a national conversation on reconciliation.
This project is a bold step towards confronting Australia’s history of cultural genocide, and it carries the full weight of the Uncles’ lived experiences. Dr. Tiffany McComsey, CEO of KBHAC, emphasised the importance of moving forward with this initiative, saying, “We are at a tipping point… 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.”
Kinchela is more than a reminder of the past—it is a symbol of resilience and hope for the future. By supporting the Uncles’ vision, Australians have an opportunity to stand on the right side of history, to help in the healing of a nation that has for too long turned a blind eye to the injustices of its past.
As the centenary of Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Home approaches, the call for action is louder than ever. Australians are invited to reflect on this painful chapter in their history and to stand with the survivors in their pursuit of justice and healing. The journey of the Stolen Generations is not just a story of loss and trauma; it is also a story of resilience, strength, and, most importantly, survival. The Uncles’ fight to reclaim Kinchela and transform it into a place of healing is a testament to that enduring spirit.
The restoration of Kinchela Boys Home will not erase the trauma, but it will provide a space for truth-telling and reconciliation, ensuring that the voices of the Stolen Generations are heard, honoured, and remembered for generations to come.
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