Welcome to CLAN - Care Leavers Australia Network

REDRESS WA
Posted Aug 12, 2008

The West Australian government has announced a redress scheme for Care Leavers who were abused while in care in WA.  The Redress WA scheme includes an ex gratia payment (up to $80 000) and an official apology from the state government.  Applications to Redress WA must be received by 30 April 2009 so you have lots of time to get one in.

CLAN has received funding from the WA Government to provide support to WA care leavers who currently live in other states to access Redress WA.

Some of the support that can be provided by CLAN Redress WA:

• Practical assistance in completing Redress WA applications either by telephone, email or in person;
• Counselling and emotional support through the application process;
• Problem solving, advice and information;
• Referral to services such as counselling, self help groups, health, housing etc;
• Financial counselling and budgeting
• Writing your story

For further information on how CLAN can help you with the Redress WA application you can contact Lindal, the CLAN Redress WA worker, on:

Phone: 1800 446 264 (freecall) or (02) 9793 9349
Email: redresswa@clan.org.au

Or check out the WA Government website: www.redress.wa.gov.au

TASMANIAN DEADLINE EXPIRES
Updated Aug 1, 2008

The deadline for applications to the Tasmanian Redress scheme has now expired. The original deadline for applications to the re-opened scheme was June 30th, 2008. CLAN had lobbied for an extension to this date (as reported HERE), and on June 29th a 1-month extension extension was announced by Tasmanian Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings (click HERE to read the announcement). CLAN had hoped that a further extension would be granted as the new deadline approached, but there has been no announcement by the Tasmanian Government.

The Government has made it clear that no submissions received after the closing date will be considered. The contact number for further information is 1300 654 583.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF CLAN'S NEW OFFICES AND THE NATIONAL ORPHANAGE MUSEUM, AND FAREWELL TO SENATOR MURRAY
Updated August 14, 2008

The official opening of CLAN's new offices was a tremendous success, and CLAN would like to thank everyone who participated and helped make the occasion so memorable. A full report is now available, and there are a lot of photos posted as well. Click on  this link or on the image to the right.

A radio news story on the opening was on The Wire, 107.3 2SER FM, and is available as an MP3 of the story from their website, The Wire for anyone that is interested.

Update: June 20th 2008: 22 additional photos uploaded, provided by M Brown.
Update: Aug 14 2008: 19 additional photos of the National Orphanage Msueum added. More photos are on the way!

POPE APOLOGISES
Posted June 21, 2008

During his Homily while conducting mass on July 19 as part of World Youth Day, Pope Benedict XVI paused to apologise to the victims of sexual abuse by the Catholic Church. The apology has received world-wide attention, being reported everywhere from Bankok to Malta, London, and the US.

CLAN welcomes the apology while regretting the that Pontiff did not take the opportunity to broaden the apology to include other forms of abuse perpetrated by the Church and its representatives.

Below are links to a number of the most informative stories relating to the Apology.

THE AGE PROTESTS BISHOP FISHER'S INSENSITIVITY
 Posted July 21, 2008

Following the comments by Bishop Anthony Fisher, The Age ran an editorial condemning the statements and pointing out how mis-steps in handling abuse allegations had undermined the value of any Papal apology. CLICK HERE to read the editorial (opens in a new window).

JUNE PHOTOGRAPHS
 Posted June 27, 2008

June was a very busy time for CLAN, and photographs of a number of events and functions have now been posted. Click HERE to access images of:

• The CLAN Public meetings in Tasmania on June 7 (Hobart) and 8 (Launceston)
• The South Australian Parliamentary Apology on June 17
• The South Australian Social following the Apology, and
• The special screening of "Stolen Childhood" on June 18.

Photographs of the Opening of the new CLAN Office and National Orphanage Museum can be found by clicking on this link.

QLD GOVERNMENT EXTENDS REDRESS SCHEME
Updated June 23, 2008

The Queensland Government have announced that the closing date for applications for payment under this scheme has been extended to 30 September 2008 to ensure that as many people as possible have an opportunity to apply. State Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr told the Qld Sunday Mail that more than 14,500 application packs had been distributed and more than 5200 applications received since the scheme opened. The Queensland Government advise that it may take some time to process them all. Priority is being given to applicants who are aged over 70 years or who have a life-threatening illness. The Queensland Government have posted information about the redress scheme at the Department Of Communities website. To read the information, click on THIS LINK and look for the redress scheme link on the page, it is quite prominant. Application forms and scheme guidelines can be obtained by calling the Redress Scheme Information Line on 1300 769 291 from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Saturday. Forms can also be downloaded from the link given above.

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
Posted July 23, 2008

CLAN have been contacted by the State Trustees in Melbourne, who are enxious to make contact with Neil GALGEY. Neil was born in England and is believed to have lived with a foster family in Western Australia. Any information about his current whereabouts, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated. If you can help, please contact Kath Ensor on 03 9667 6771 (Toll free: 1300 138 672), or email her at kath.ensor@statetrustees.com.au . 

TASMANIAN CARE LEAVER MEMORIAL
 Updated July 1, 2008

Following THIS ADVERTISEMENT, also posted on this website, a meeting took place in Hobart on Saturday, June 28, to discuss the wording of the Tasmanian Care Leaver Memorial. CLAN has not been advised of the outcome, but will update this story as further news comes to hand.

CLAN WRITES TO 7:30 REPORT
Posted June 25, 2008

On Tuesday, 17 June, the South Australian Government apologised to those harmed while in Care, as reported elsewhere on this page. While most coverage was fair and unbiased, the ABC's 7:30 report chose to link the story with a report of a single Foster Parent who was falsely accused of abuse and implied that many more false claims would follow the apology. This is not only insulting to Care Leavers in general, trivialising the many very real cases of neglect and abuse, it is particularly hurtful to those victims who were the subject of the apology that very day. CLAN has written to the reporter, to the producers of the 7:30 report, to the government, and to the ABC board to request an apology from the 7:30 Report. CLICK HERE to read a transcript of the 7:30 Report's Story (opens in a new window) and then Click on THIS LINK to read CLAN's response.

SENATOR ANDREW MURRAY RETIRES
Updated June 27, 2008

Senator Andrew Murray retired from Federal politics on June 24th. Senator Murray has been a tireless champion for the cause of Care Leavers over the years, and a strong supporter of CLAN, and we wish him all the best for the future. CLAN encourages all care leavers to send cards or messages of thanks and appreciation. The address is:

Senator Andrew Murray,
c/- Parliament House
Canberra 2600.

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
Posted June 25, 2008
CLAN have been contacted by Peta Kajewski of the NSW Police who are requesting our members' assistance. They are investigating a long-term missing person by the name of Stephen Stuart Turvey, born 01 March 1961, who left his family home in Macquarie Fields in November, 1976. It's not a crime to go missing, but all long term missing persons are investigated by Detectives at the request of the NSW State Coroner; their job is only to advise that the missing person is safe and well, they don't disclose their current whereabouts.

Stephen arrived at Lyndon Lodge in November 1976 and was taken in by the Salvation Army, a fact proven by documentation from his mother. The Salvation Army in Melbourne have no records pertaining to this Lodge and the Major in charge at the time can not remember Stephen. The NSW Police would like to hear from any CLAN members who would have been at Lyndon Lodge in November 1976, and who might remember Stephen and what may have happened to him.

Contact Peta KAJEWSKI, Kingscliff Sector Tweed/Byron Local Area Command, by phone on (02) 6674 9399, or by Email:  kaje1pet@police.nsw.gov.au, or contact via CLAN.

SA GOVERNMENT APOLOGISES
Posted June 18, 2008

On Tuesday June 17th, SA Premier Mike Wran moved an apology in parliament to people who were abused as children in State Care, on behalf of past and current State Governments and the Anglican, Lutheran, Catholic, and Uniting Churches.

"To all those who experienced abuse in state care, we are sorry," he said.

"To those who witnessed these abuses, we are sorry.

"To those who were not believed when trying to report these abuses, we are sorry."

The formal apology was followed by a ceremony in Old Parliament House to allow leaders of the Government, members of Parliament, and heads of Churches and other institutions to acknowledge the occasion with survivors of abuse.

The apology received national media coverage on commercial television and the ABC as well as newspapers. Below are a list of links to press coverage on the internet.

SERVICES FOR CARE LEAVERS ANNOUNCED IN VICTORIAN STATE BUDGET!
Posted May 16, 2008

The Victorian State Budget 2008, announced in May 6th, includes as part of an $82.3M support package for Victorians, $7.1M to establish support services for Victorians who grew up in State care and experienced harm and abuse from their carers. Community Services Minister Lisa Neville has said that the service will be developed in consultation with care leaver representatives and other stakeholders; "This is an important step towards acknowledging the past failures and assisting those affected to deal with the legacy of their childhood experiences. With the establishment of this service, the Brumby Labor Government will also prepare a formal response to the Forgotten Australians report."

While full details of the support services are not yet known, some information has emerged. In particular, CLAN thanks the Victorian Government for recognising that the families of care-leavers also need assistance and support.

We will, of course, pass on any further information as it comes to hand.

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
Posted May 9, 2008

CLAN have been contacted by Detective Senior Constable Shane Manuell of Heidelburg CIU, Melbourne. Detective Manuell wishes to speak with any person living or working at the Pirra Girls Home in Lara, Victoria, at any time between 1970 and 1985. Anyone who meets these criteria and wishes to contact Detective Manuell can reach him by telephone at (03) 9450-8135, by fax at 9455-2646, or by email at shane.manuell@police.vic.gov.au.

CARE-LEAVERS PRESS COVERAGE
Updated July 29, 2008

CLAN SURVEY RESULTS
Posted March 28, 2008

A summary of the results of the 2006 survey of Care-leavers conducted by CLAN is now available in PDF format. Click on THIS LINK to open the results.

PLEASE BE PATIENT....
 ....when you ring the office or send us an email.  CLAN receives a huge number of phone calls and communications every day, so if you ring and get the answering machine, don't hang up! Leave a message and Leonie will get back to you as soon as she can. 

NEWSLETTER BACK ISSUES
Posted January 25, 2008

CLAN wishes to advise members that we a have a limited number of back issues of the newsletter available for purchase at $2 each. No decision has been made about printing more when these are gone, so any member who wants them should take advantage of the opportunity while they can. To order, write to CLAN or telephone us and we will post them out to you.

Special Commision Of Enquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW contact details
Posted December 14, 2007

To contact the Special Commission Of Enquiry, write to:

    PO Box K1026
    HAYMARKET NSW 1240

or alternatively:

    Freecall 1800 442 819
    Phone (02) 9377 5400
    Fax       (02) 9377 5411
    Email cps_inquiry@agd.nsw.gov.au 

CLAN SILENT PROTEST RALLIES 2008 - PARLIAMENT HOUSE, VICTORIA
Updated June 27, 2008

The next protest is Thursday, August 21. Dates for the other scheduled protests in 2008 are:


Thursday September 11, 2008
Thursday October 9, 2008
Thursday November 13, 2008
Thursday December 4, 2008

The rallies are held from 9AM until around 1 PM (unless its raining) - we will let you know if there is any change. As usual, rally on the steps of Parliament House in Spring Street. Bring your own posters, lunch, and drinks. We encourage those attending to wear CLAN colours and the CLAN badge. The rallies have become social occasions, and we are especially grateful to those who have travel long distances to attend. They have generated a lot of positive feedback, but we have to keep the pressure on. This is also a chance to renew your CLAN membership (if you havn't already) and return any books you might have from the CLAN library.

If It's raining on the day, we will meet inside the pub opposite Parliament House, cnr of Collins and Spring Streets, and wait there for better weather.

We are trying to get a speaker to come along for every rally - on March 13th it will be Peter Ryan, state National Party leader, and member for Sale. Others will be announced as they are confirmed.

For information on past protests, go to this page: PROTEST HISTORY.

NEW RELEASES
Updated February 29, 2008

HOME PAGE ARCHIVES

Looking for older news?
In order to ensure that the most recent and important news is as prominant as possible and is not drowned out by older news items, after about 3 months without change, older news is moved to the CLAN NEWS ARCHIVE PAGE.

Media Reports & Press Statements
Media acknowledgements of Care-leavers are infrequent but hold special meaning when they do appear. CLAN have created an archive page for press releases and such media articles here: Press Releases & Media Archive.

Photo Gallery Updates
Want to know what's been posted to the photo gallery lately? Have you sent us an image and want to know if it has been processed yet? Want to know how to access the members section, or the tricks and tips of searching for a particular Home? All this and more can be found here: Photo Gallery Main Page.

CLAN Events Page
If you are looking for photographs and reports of events other than protests, this is the page where they are stored. Currently, there are images and reports from Vera's Birthday Party, the first Geelong Social, and the Orphanage Museum display at the Geelong Library, amongst others. Links to these items can be found here: CLAN Events Page.
Update 4/6/08: problem preventing the display of additional photos of first Geelong Social corrected.

OUR 1800 TELEPHONE NUMBER

Care leavers who were in 'care' in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, or the ACT, and who still live in that state, can ring CLAN via our 1800 number, which is 1800 008 774.

CLAN will continue to work towards extending the 1800 number to Queensland and Northern Territory care leavers.

If the office is unattended  when you call, leave a message or email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.