Please be aware that this site contains photographs and references to deceased persons—our apologies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Please also note that, due to the historic nature of some of the content, the views that are expressed may not reflect the position of KBHAC.
You really only done one good thing
You made us stronger as brothers, to survive those years
But not as little kids, but as men of the K.B.H.
The boys’ troubles didn't end upon leaving Kinchela Boys Home. Institutionalisation and the legacies of their treatment have resulted in ongoing pain and trauma for survivors, their families and communities. The devastating effects continue to be felt by the descendants and families of the men who struggle with intergenerational trauma.
The following animation, narrated by survivors and illustrated by Uncle Richard Campbell (#28), is an important contribution to truth telling and an evocative glimpse into the lived-experiences of the KBH atrocity.
Kinchela Boys Home Survivors own their stories and healing, leading from a place of self-determination.
These principles, developed by KBHAC and Survivors, help guide the path to healing and aim to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
Along with our families, know our problems, our pain, our isolation and the issues we struggle with.
Will work hard to connect with our families, our communities, our culture and our neighbours.
Along with our families, will honour ourselves, and each other, in support of our individual and collective journeys of healing.
Know and accept what is in our own heart, soul and mind. We know who we are and where we come from. We are strong, proud and Black.
Will help educate the Australian community about understanding the grievances of Stolen Generations Issues and other deep local and national concerns impacting on Australia’s First Peoples.
Will continue to support the human dignity of all Stolen Generations.
Acknowledge the National apology to Stolen Generations. Therefore, we will continue to pursue unfinished business and all issues of justice, genocide and reparations for all members of the Stolen Generations and our families.
Will honour and remember all our brothers who went before us.
These inspiring oral histories offer rich insights into the institution, its conditions, and its impact on survivors, their families and Aboriginal Australians.
Survivors have also found expression for their experiences at KBH in varied forms, such as poetry, painting and song. Some examples of which you can find below.
We were only kids, little ones.
You take us from everywhere,
To go miles and miles away
From where we come.
Away from ones that we love and miss.
You tried to change us to someone
We are not.
You brainwash us little ones
To think we are not.
You really only done one good thing
You made us stronger as brothers
To survive those years
But not as little kids
But as men of the K.B.H.
Why was I taken, from my family
to be stripped of my culture, my identity
to be told, I wasn’t black
I was just darker than the rest.
Oh why? Why?
To be placed in some government home,
through no fault of my own.
Even though, with all the other kids,
I still felt so alone.
No soft touch, of a mother’s love
I never knew.
Oh why? Why?
[Tell ‘em like it is Roy].
Why did they tell us,
Oh such lies?
To claim we had no family,
that we were an only child?
The soft touch, of a family’s love,
I never knew.
Oh why? Why?
The soft touch, of a mother’s love,
We never knew.
Oh why?
[Maybe one day they’ll tell us: why?]
Some of this artwork is available for purchase in our shop along with other original pieces by Survivors of KBH
Visit shop ->Donations for accessing these materials greatly assists us by providing much needed funds that help us heal the pain that continues to be felt across this country.
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