Centenary of United Aborigines Mission Bomaderry
Region:
Scope:
International
Cost:
Location:
Bomaderry Childrens Home/Turn left at the TAFE/Last Roundabout before crossing Shoalhaven River Bridge coming from Sydney/First over bridge coming from Jervis Bay
Time:
10am
Event Date:
Friday, May 23, 2008
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Body:
Survival and pain celebrated
BY GLENN ELLARD
23/05/2008 9:57:00 AM
South Coast Register
A HUGE crowd is starting to descend on the region ahead of tomorrows centenary of the United Aborigines Mission Bomaderry Homes.
The birthplace of the Stolen Generations in Australia, the Bomaderry Homes was formed after a missionary Miss Thompson took charge of six young Aboriginal children orphaned when their mother died.
A short time later the UAM bought a small cottage on two and a quarter acres in Bomaderry, and the Bomaderry Homes began.
The number of children soon grew, and after the first cottage was expanded and second was bought on an adjoining block, then three more cottages were added by 1948.
Hundreds of children passed through the Bomaderry Homes as they continued to operate through to the 1970s, and many of those former homies, as they were called, are expected to return to the region for tomorrows official centenary.
Organiser Sonny Simms from the Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council said while many former residents had mixed feelings about the homes, and some simply hated the place, the centenary would be a celebration.
Were not here to point the finger at anyone, were here to celebrate, Mr Simms said.
Were celebrating because we have survived.
Description:
Bomaderry Childrens Home was the birthplace of the Stolen Generation in NSW. It is a place of great pain but also great friendships and endurance and survival. This is an Australian Indigenous Celebration that is not to be missed.