Welcome to CLAN - Care Leavers Australia Network
Due to bad weather we have had trouble with receiving phone calls and emails. We apologise for any inconvenience and we ask that you are patient during this time. If you do not hear from us please send another email or call us and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as we can. ************************************************************************** CLAN has decided to send NSW, SA, VIC and Federal politicians a card for their birthday as these are the states where there are no Redress schemes. Front of card:
Click HERE to view a list of politicians we have sent birthday cards to
CLAN’s counselling service offers counselling to Care Leavers and their family members. CLAN has telephone or face to face counselling on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. If you would like to use this service please contact CLAN on 1800 008 774 to make an appointment. Please note you do not need to be a member of CLAN to use this service. ************************************************************************** CLAN congratulates the National Museum of Australia on the opening of the exhibition “Inside: Life in a Children’s Home” on Wednesday 16th November 2011. This exhibition highlights an important part of Australia’s history and CLAN hopes that the public will take the time to visit this display. The National Museum of Australia has done a wonderful job of putting this exhibition together. Congratulations once again to all involved and the hard work that has gone into making this a success.
CLAN co-founder Joanna Penglase will be discussing her research at the Inside Children's Homes forum at the National Museum of Australia Date: Tuesday 14 February 2012
Joanna will discuss her research into the history of Forgotten Australians and looks at where we are today. A panel discussion of life since the National Apology to the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants will follow with CLAN members Frank Golding, Sharky Moriaty and Bonney Djuric. Bookings are essential and be made by bookings@nma.gov.au or call (02) 6208 5021. ***************************************************************** CLAN recently placed an advertisement in the Daily Telegraph looking for information on Cowley House.
Roman Catholic Church Trust Property Amendment (Justice for Victims) Bill 2011 - Consultation Paper The Greens MP David Shoebridge has produced a consultation paper regarding a proposed legal reform which will make it easier for victims of sexual abuse to seek fair compensation from the Catholic Church. David Shoebridge Greens MP is asking interested parties to read this consultation paper and put in submissions based on the ten consultation questions. Please understand this is not about you writing your personal story, it is a chance to comment on the consultation paper only and you need to answer the 10 questions. Click HERE to view the consultation paper Comments must be submitted to http://www.davidshoebridge.org.au/justice-for-victims OR : kym.chapple@parliament.nsw.gov.au OR David Shoebridge, Comments must be submitted by February 6th 2012. **************************************************************** New Zealand Public Meeting CLAN has several members who live in New Zealand and were placed in both Australian and New Zealand institutions and has members who grew up in New Zealand Homes and now live in Australia. CLAN will be holding a public meeting and would like to invite anyone who has spent time in an Australian or New Zealand orphanage, children’s Home or foster care. Claire Booth from the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service (CLAS) will also speak on the day. Leonie Sheedy will talk about how CLAN can assist and support people that grew up in New Zealand’s orphanages, children’s Homes and foster care. Details for the meeting are as follows: Date: Saturday 18th February Morning tea will be provided. CLAN will bring some library books over for the meeting. **************************************************************** CLAN would like to thank everyone that has sent us Christmas cards.
Updated 12th January 2012 CLAN's staff and committee really appreciate your support! **************************************************************** If you are a CLAN member and would like to be on the CLAN birthday list, please contact CLAN on 1800 008 774 or email support@clan.org.au and we can send you a birthday card for your special day. If you know a CLAN member who is ill, please contact CLAN and we will send them a get well card. ************************************************************* On 29 November 2011, the Australian Government tabled its response to the report of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry into government compensation payments. The Australian Government's response is available HERE Click HERE to read the Senate Committee Report on Review of Government Compensation Payments ***************************************************************** Leonie conducted a presentation on CLAN’s behalf at the International Forum for Child Welfare. A wide range of topics were presented and CLAN presented a paper on the legacy of leaving care unprepared: using past practice to inform current policy. Click HERE to download the speech presented. Click HERE to download the address from the Hon. Jenny Macklin
Click HERE to view the speech from Jenny Macklin MP - Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. This speech was for the opening of Inside, Life in children’s homes and institutions and the second anniversary of the National Apology to the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants. Congratulations to the National Museum of Australia. ************************************************************* The Find and Connect website has been launched by Jenny Macklin MP on the second anniversary of the National Apology. Click HERE to read the media release from Jenny Macklin MP Click HERE to view information on how to use the website Find & Connect Australia is a website for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants, and for everyone with an interest in the history of out-of-home 'care' in Australia. This web resource will help you to find information on Australia's orphanages and children's Homes. You can visit the website on http://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ *************************************************************
ABANDON ALL HOPE explores the history and experience of the Parramatta Girls Industrial School from its begin- flings as Australia's first purpose built orphanage for Catholic children in 1841 to its demise in the 1980's. ABANDON ALL HOPE traces the emergence and evolution of the child welfare system from the mid-19th century to the reforms of the 1980's. It examines how societal attitudes and legislation determined the type of 'care' provided and is ordered chronologically starting with the convict Female Factory then the Roman Catholic Orphan School, the Girls Industrial School and Parramatta Girls Home to Kamballa and Taldree Juvenile Detention Centre. The book is available to borrow from CLAN's library and is also available to order online for $35 at: http://abandonallhope.yolasite.com/ or you can email the author on bonneyd@gmail.com ************************************************************************* Attention Victorian Care Leavers The following announcement has been sent to CLAN by Open Place Open Place regret to announce that from Monday 12 September 2011, Open Place is no longer able to accept applications for funding for Life Skills and Medical Needs. As you may know the Victorian Government funds Open Place with $2 million per year to provide services for all Victorian Forgotten Australians. The growing number of Forgotten Australians accessing services from Open Place and the significant increase in requests for funding Life Skills and Medical Needs means that we cannot continue with the existing model of brokerage applications. In order to preserve and continue other Open Place services, as well as provide a more equitable service to all service users, it is necessary to refocus funding towards counselling and general support services, rather than on individual applications for funding. Funding applications lodged before 12 September 2011 under the previous guidelines will be honored and processed as usual. All other Open Place services will continue without change including: • Counselling for Forgotten Australians and family members The Victorian Government has stated its’ committed to ensuring that Forgotten Australians are given the counselling and support they need through organisations such as Open Place. The Government is committed to continuing to fund Open Place at the existing level of support and to working with the service users to consider options for how the funds previously used for Life Skills and Medical Needs should be used from July 2012. Open Place want to target the areas of greatest need for Forgotten Australians and we will aim to develop an equitable, viable and sustainable model for ongoing operations. The provision of more counselling and support services in rural and regional areas will be a priority. Staff at Open Place appreciate that this announcement is a blow to many of you who have benefited over the past 20 months from financial support for your Life Skills opportunities and Medical Needs. Support Workers will continue to be available to support you to access services in the community and to advocate for your individual needs. *************************************************************************** Human Rights Commissioner Pro Forma Letter CLAN has created a pro-forma letter to be sent to the Human Rights Commissioner - the Hon. Catherine Branson, to lobby for justice and redress for all Australian Care Leavers. Even if you have already received redress, support your fellow Care Leavers who have not got it yet by signing the letter and sending it off to support this very important social justice issue. Please pass it on to your friends and families so they too can support our issue! Click here to download the letter *****************************************************************
***************************************************************** ***************************************************************** Click here to view a flyer CLAN has made on why do we protest? *************************************************************************** Click here to view an update on the upcoming Find and Connect service from FaHCSIA *************************************************************************** The National Museum of Australia will be launching an education package next year for students in year 10-12 to learn about the history of Care Leavers/Forgotten Australians. For more information on the education package please click HERE Congratulations to the National Museum of Australia and thank you for consulting with CLAN on this very important project. We are also pleased to announce that the education package has been sent to every high school in Australia and we hope that all schools with educate children about our history
NEWS FLASH
Thank you to all our wonderful members and supporters for their contr |
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Counselling at CLAN 
Care Leavers Australia Network (CLAN) is a support, advocacy, research and training group for people brought up in care away from their family as state wards or Home children raised in Children's Homes, orphanages or other institutions, or in foster care. CLAN is also for anyone who has a close family member who was placed in "care".
Many of these people are now middle-aged or older but still carry the burden of unresolved issues from this past. Our aim is to raise community awareness of these issues, and to campaign for government assistance to redress them. CLAN welcomes everyone who has been affected by the "care" system, regardless of your background or heritage - we are here to help.
Contact CLAN on 1800 008 774 or 0425-204-747 or email us at support@clan.org.au
CLAN is located at 463 Chapel Road, Bankstown, NSW, 2200 and all mail can be directed to CLAN PO Box 164, Georges Hall, NSW, 2198
CLAN welcomes and needs donations, and all money received helps us to continue providing this essential service to all care leavers. All donations over $2 are tax-deductable. If you would like to make a donation, please send a cheque or money order to CLAN Inc, PO Box 164 Georges Hall, NSW, 2198. We are also very happy to receive gifts of stamps.
CLAN News Flash!
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Senator Claire Moores speech at the National Museum of Australia , 22nd November 2011 CLAN patron Senator Claire Moore made a speech during the opening of the Inside Exhibition at the National Museum of Australia. Two years ago in this place the then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, made an incredibly important statement to the people of Australia. He made an apology to the people that we knew up until that day as the forgotten Australians. In that statement he said more ... |
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CLAN News Flash - Posted 03/02/2012 |
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Ballarat Orphanage appeal fails Fiona Henderson, The Ballarat Courier , 26th December 2011 THE Care Leavers Australia Network (CLAN) has hit out at a Heritage Victoria decision not to list the former Ballarat Orphanage on the State Heritage Register. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 31/01/2012 |
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Hospital sorry for forced adoptions Alana Rosenbaum, The Age , 24th January 2012 THE Royal Womens Hospital has admitted that single women were treated differently from married mothers until the mid 1970s and apologised for the pain and suffering that the practice caused. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 30/01/2012 |
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Hard road to an inspiring life Christopher Butler, The Senior News , January 2012 Ranger Bob Taylor spent 29 years protecting the land, the animals, and the public in Western Australias National Parks, from Yanchep to Kununurra, finally retiring as the longest serving ranging ever. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 06/01/2012 |
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CLANs submission on Consultation on Out of Home Care standards Care Leavers of Australia Network feels that the key areas are insufficiently child centred. They appear to be a static and uninspired collection of traditional headings when something more dynamic is required. more ... |
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| » Click here to download PDF | Latest CLAN News - Posted 05/01/2012 |
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The Forgotten Australians feel forgotten all over again Toryn Chapman, The Age , 15th December 2011 Toryn is a CLAN member and the author of The Grey Cat which is available from CLANs library. We wish to thank Toryn for bringing about this story Those who lost their childhood to abuse and neglect still await justice. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 20/12/2011 |
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NEW BOOK: Young peoples transition from out of home care Cate O Neill, , 15th December 2011 A new book explores the experiences of young people leaving state out of home care in Australia. Making the transition from out of home care is a critical time for young people who have grown up in out of home care. They are often expected to become independent at an earlier age than most young people. The book, Young people leaving state out of home care: Australian policy and procedure (Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2011) stresses the need for ongoing support and mentoring – the responsibility of government and support agencies does not end when a young person turns 18. more ... |
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CLAN News Flash - Posted 15/12/2011 |
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State must act on crimes in church The Age , 3rd December 2011 How can an organisation devoted to good in the service of God have done such harm to the most vulnerable of people? more ... |
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Letters to Newspapers - Posted 05/12/2011 |
Rays long search for Fields familyWendy Lavender, Kalgoorlie Miner , 25th November 2011 When Ray Prosser arrives in Kalgoorlie Boulder on Monday, it be the end of a very long search, but may also be a new beginning. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 29/11/2011 |
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Dutch Catholic church to compensate abuse victims The Star , 7th November 2011 The Dutch branch of the Catholic church has agreed to launch a compensation system that clears the way for victims of abuse by priests and other church workers to receive payments of up to 100,000 euros more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 22/11/2011 |
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Contribute to the Oral History Project On the 16 November 2009 Australia acknowledged and apologised to the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants. As announced in the Apology, the National Library is conducting an oral history project to record the lives and experiences of Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants. Interviews will be conducted across Australia and will be preserved in the National Library. The 3 year project aims to document a rounded history of the experiences of children in institutional and out of home care and the lifelong impact of these experiences on their lives and their families. The project will also interview a selection of advocates, and allied professionals including welfare officers, employees and administrators. more ... |
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| » Click here to download PDF | CLAN News Flash - Posted 16/11/2011 |
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Speech from Jenny Macklin MP about the opening of the National Museums Inside exhibtion I would like to acknowledge the survivors, some of whom are with us tonight. Survivors, like Caroline Carroll, Harold Haig, Jim Luthy and Joanna Penglase who I toured the exhibition with earlier today. more ... |
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| » Click here to download PDF | CLAN News Flash - Posted 16/11/2011 |
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Libs reject abuse scheme Reid Sexton, The Age , 10th November 2011 ABOUT 20 former wards of the state descended on Parliament yesterday to urge MPs to support a motion for an investigation into the establishment of a compensation scheme for victims of abuse. Read more for a response from CLAN. more ... |
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CLAN News Flash - Posted 11/11/2011 |
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Catholic Church liable over priests Rutland and Stamford Mercury , 10th November 2011 The High Court has ruled that the Catholic Church can be held liable for the wrongdoings of its priests, in a case involving an alleged sexual assault at a childrens home in Hampshire. more ... |
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Latest CLAN News - Posted 10/11/2011 |
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UNs right to focus on Ireland's festering injustice Mark Raftery, The Canberra Times , 9th June 2011 Church, family and state were all complicit in the Magdalene affair. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 26/10/2011 |
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Coalition has failed to secure Open Place future Jacinta Allen - Member for Bendigo East, Bendigo Advertiser , th October 2011 Liberal Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge (Bendigo Advertiser, Saturday) is not being up front about her governments lack of support for the Open Place service for Forgotten Australians. more ... |
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Letters to Newspapers - Posted 18/10/2011 |
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Brother Best victims ready for class action Tom McIlroy, The Courier , 21st September 2011 VICTIMS of sexual abuse by Christian Brothers will launch a class action against the order, with a Melbourne lawyer calling for more abused students to come forward. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 14/10/2011 |
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Catholic sex abuse inquiry on hold Barney Zwartz, The Age , 7th Ocotber 2011 The state government has put on hold a public inquiry into sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, hoping some key questions can be addressed by another current inquiry into protecting vulnerable children. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 10/10/2011 |
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CLAN Submission to Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry Learning from the past, using Victorias child welfare history to inform current child policy practice. Click on the link to view the submission. more ... |
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CLAN News Flash - Posted 05/10/2011 |
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Lawyers say Ellis defence reduces church payouts Liz Hobday, ABC Radio , 29th September 2011 Liz Hobday interviews CLAN supporter, Angela Sdrinis about historical abuse. Click for more information for the transcript of the interview and the link to listen to the interview. more ... |
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Multi Media - Posted 30/09/2011 |
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Money runs out for former wards health bills Michelle Griffin, The Age , 19th September 2011 A STATE government program that paid health expenses for former state wards has been axed because demand was much greater than anyone expected. more ... |
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CLAN News Flash - Posted 22/09/2011 |
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The Catholic Church vs John Ellis David Shoebridge MLC, A Greens Member of the NSW Upper House , 14th September 2011 For more than two decades the Catholic Church, both in Australia and overseas, has been the subject of increasing numbers of claims that those in its care were sexually abused. Many of these claims related to abuse alleged to have been perpetrated in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 22/09/2011 |
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$166m abuse payout Herald Sun , 27th March 2011 A US Jesuit order has agreed to pay $166 million to compensate about 500 mostly Native American child victims of horrific sexual abuse at religious mission schools, lawyers say. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 19/09/2011 |
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Christian brother Robert Charles Best faces justice at last James Campbell, Herald Sun , 31st May 2011 A CHRISTIAN Brother has been found guilty of sexually abusing 11 children at three schools across Victoria, after six trials over a reign of terror that lasted between 1969 and 1988. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 19/09/2011 |
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Church abuse victims call for government to step in Barney Zwartz, The Age , 3rd September 2011 THIRTY victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Melbourne yesterday asked the Victorian government to investigate the churchs handling of complaints, claiming it perverted the course of justice and bullied victims. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 05/09/2011 |
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Dont let Christian Brothers stay quiet Alan Howe, Herald Sun , 15th August 2011 FOR the boys hunted by the sickening nest of paedophiles that ruled Ballarats St Alipius school, there was no escape. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 22/08/2011 |
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Orphanage abuse victims sue Aleks Devic, Geelong Advertiser , 27th July 2011 VICTIMS of sex abuse and physical torture at a Geelong orphanage have launched legal action against the State Government seeking millions of dollars in compensation. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 28/07/2011 |
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MP says Victoria should follow Irelands lead on abuse ABC News , 21st July 2011 Victorian MP Ann Barker has travelled to Dublin in her campaign to force the Catholic Church to open an inquiry into abuse by priests in Victoria. Click on the link for more info and the video more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 21/07/2011 |
Remembering the Forgotten AustraliansMalcolm Turnbull, , 14th June 2011 On Saturday morning I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the Care Leavers Australia Networks new offices in Bankstown, affectionately known as the White House. Despite the inclement weather threatening to disrupt proceedings, the rain held off and the CLAN offices were opened without a hitch. more ... |
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Media Articles - Posted 14/07/2011 |
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$26.5 million for a National Find and Connect Service for all Care Leavers , 12th May 2010 The Federal Government has announced $26.5 million for Care Leavers in the Federal Budget. Read on for Jenny Macklin MP annoucement media release and CLANs media release in response to the great news. more ... |
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| » Click here to download PDF | CLAN Press Releases - Posted 12/08/2010 |
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Information for Improving Aged Care for Forgotten Australians/Care Leavers The following link will take you to the relevant information on the Department of Health and Ageing website for information on improving aged care for Care Leavers. more ... |
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CLAN News Flash - Posted 20/07/2010 |
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Victorian Government introduces the Carer Card The Carer Card is considered to be a way in which carers can be recognised for the significant level of care and commitment they provide supporting family members and friends who are frail, aged or have disabilities or to children who require foster placements. more ... |
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CLAN News Flash - Posted 15/06/2010 |
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Free Public Transport Travel Entitlements for WA Seniors, Aged and Disability Support Pensioners WA Seniors are entitled to travel for free on all Transperth services between 9.00am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday, as well as public holidays. more ... |
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Press Releases - Posted 15/06/2010 |
CLAN HatThe CLAN hat can be purchased for $15. more ... |
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Latest CLAN News - Posted 26/10/2009 |
Recent or Upcoming Protests
Victoria Silent Protest - Monday 5th March 2012 Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Where: Parliament House VIC
Address: Spring St, Melbourne
CLAN hopes as many Care Leavers as possible can attend these protests. Please wear your CLAN badges!
Victoria Silent Protest - 6th February 2012 Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Where: Parliament House VIC
Address: Spring St Melbourne
CLAN hopes as many Care Leavers as possible can attend these protests. Please wear your CLAN badges!
First Silent Protest for 2012 - Victoria Silent Protest - Friday 27th January 2012 Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Where: Parliament House VIC
Address: Spring St Melbourne
Former Judge Cummins will be handing the report to the Victorian government regarding Victoria’s Vulnerable Children’s Inquiry on the 27th January.
Please come and support CLAN on this important day and the show the government we Victorian Homies and Wardies are not going away until we get justice and redress.
Events
CLANs Office Launch - 11th June 2011 Time: 10:30am-1:30pm
Where: 463 Chapel Road, Bankstown.
CLAN held its office launch on Saturday 11th June at its new office.
Many CLAN members from all around Australia attended including a message sent via DVD from Jenny Macklin - Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, CLAN's Patrons - Jason Clare MP - Member for Blaxland, Richard Marles MP - Member for Corio, Malcolm Turnbull MP - Member for Wentworth, Steve Irons MP - Member for Swan, QLD Senator Claire Moore and former Senator Andrew Murray.
It was wonderful to see as many CLAN members as possible for this significant event in CLAN's history.
Click here to see the DVD playing during the office launch
Click here to see the message from the Hon Jenny Macklin
Click here to view photos from the day
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