AFA representatives have participated in a series of national reference group meetings working with Government officials and other representative groups to progress the four national projects announced by the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the time of the National Apology to Forgotten Australians: Find & Connect, Aged Care Education, National Exhibition and the Oral History Projects. Some of the national projects have various stages including reference group and consultations with the Forgotten Australians before progressing to the next stage of development. The final reports of Stage 1 of both Find & Connect and the Aged Care Education Projects are to be released in the near future.

Caroline Carrol (Chair)

This year AFA has increased the profile of Forgotten Australians by doing presentations at conferences and meetings Invariaby people are shocked but agree that this is an
important avenue for influencing current policy and practice in child and family welfare agencies.

In July, Wilma Robb (ACT member) made a presentation to a local Rotary Club; Pamella Vernon (NSW member) and I gave a presentation to the ACWA 2010 Conference, ACWA is the NSW Association of Child Welfare Agencies.
AFA representatives also visited Wintringham, an aged care service for homeless and other low income people, in August. As a result Joanna and I will be conducting a presentation to staff of Wintringham in the near future. Wintringham became aware as a result of the visit that they would be likely to have Forgotten Australians engaged in their services.

AFA representatives attended the Queensland Memorial service in September. As part of the commemoration for past and present Forgotten Australians candles were lit.

A group who have been working on a stamp in memory of Forgotten Australians launched a new stamp in honour of Queensland victims and survivors of childhood institutionalisation.
In October, Wilma and I gave a joint presentation to the Australian College of Child & Family Protection Practitioners (ACCFPP) on learning from the past experiences of Forgotten Australians as a way to influence current child protection practice. Also in October, Wilma and Eris Harrison gave a joint presentation to National Museum staff. Many of those present were profoundly affected by the presentation. We also have to be conscious of the impact this has on AFA representatives who are using personal histories to educate the professionals and the general public.

AFA made a submission to the Senate Legal & Constitutional Affairs Committee of Review
Of government Compensation Payments. As a result AFA has been called to provide further evidence at the hearing by the Senate Committee on 29th October. The AFA
Submission (number 133) is available on the Senate website.
http://www.aph,gov.au/senate/committee/legcon ctte/govt comp/submissions.htm
AFA representatives are involved in supporting two new research projects into outcomes for survivors of childhood institutionalisation. One is based in the ACT the other is a national project based at the University of NSW in Sydney. In the near future both projects will be calling for people to participate.

AFA representatives will attend the NSW Forget Me Not Day for adult survivors of child abuse hosted by ASCA in Sydney on Friday, 12th November and the launch of the WA Memorial for Forgotten Australians on 10th December.
AFA has commenced discussions with a film maker in preparation for making an educational DVD. The DVD will be based on the topics of the AFA booklet. The 2nd Edition of booklet Forgotten Australians: Supporting Survivors of Childhood Institutional Care in Australia is now available free of charge. If you would like a copy please contact the AFA Secretariat on (02) 6273 4885 or email Stella.conroy@familiesaustralia.org.au.

Alliance for Forgotten Australians latest news 2nd Edition