Victorian Stolen Generations Statewide Gathering calls for support for urgent and complex needs

 A gathering of survivors of Victorian Stolen Generations and their descendants organised by VACCA, Link-Up Victoria, and Connecting Home, highlighted an urgent need for priority support for access to culturally safe aged care and culturally safe environments for survivors and their families.  

A concerning reality 

Participants gained valuable insights into the critical services provided by each of the organisations. However, the discussions revealed a concerning reality: these vital services lack sufficient resources, limiting their reach and impact on those who need them most.  

Survivors shared their urgent and complex needs, highlighting priority areas for support, including:

• access to culturally safe aged care
• gender-specific wellbeing programs, and  
• intergenerational healing initiatives.  

There was a call for more frequent gatherings to facilitate open discussions among survivors about their healing needs. The event reinforced the necessity of culturally safe environments for survivors and their families. The conversations underscored a crucial need to extend these opportunities to regional communities, where access to healing services remains limited. Survivors voiced their commitment to leading their own healing journeys, drawing strength from the collective experiences of the community.

The Victorian Stolen Generations survivor experience highlighted

While many challenges faced by survivors are echoed across the nation, Victorians encounter unique barriers, particularly in accessing limited services and funding for tailored healing programs. The gathering underscored the resilience of the Victorian Stolen Generations, who continue to navigate their healing journeys, recognising the importance of unity for the future of their children and grandchildren.

The community expressed gratitude for the ongoing collaboration with Stolen Generations and support services, addressing unfinished business in the Bringing them home recommendations and ensuring that the history and experiences of their people are neither lost nor forgotten. 

The Healing Foundation CEO, Shannan Dodson commented that the gathering on Bunurong Country showcased the strength of Victorian Stolen Generations survivors, stemming from diverse community support and collaboration.  But there is more to do. 

"Survivors loud and clearly need additional resources to improve local culturally safe aged care and further promote intergenerational healing. More connection opportunities and collaboration is essential for supporting collective healing journeys for Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants,” she said.

The event featured presentations from Lisa Zammit, CEO of Connecting Home, Healing Foundation CEO, Shannan Dodson and Bev Murray from Link-Up Victoria. Megan Van Den Ber opened the session on behalf of the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) and Link-Up Victoria, emphasising the importance of these dialogues. Zoe Upton, Deputy Chair of Connecting Home Board, also contributed to the discussions.