Geraldton Universities Centre honours Class of 2025, with 41 students graduating from variety of disciplines
Geraldton Universities Centre's Class of 2025 includes 41 graduates who will return to the local workforce as skilled professionals and give back to the community.
On April 15, the achievements of the graduating students were recognised at a formal ceremony at Queens Park Theatre, where they were surrounded by family, friends and the wider GUC community.
Marking the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, this year's graduates studied a wide range of disciplines including accounting, arts, education, medical sonography, nursing, paramedic science, psychological science, and social work which were delivered in partnership with CQUniversity, UniSQ and Curtin University.
CQUniversity vice-chancellor Professor Nick Klomp gave the keynote address at the graduation.
'The partnership between our two organisations has opened doors to high-quality education right here in this region and has helped produce a generation of skilled professionals who will now give back to this very community,' he said.
A highlight of the ceremony was UniSQ Bachelor of Nursing graduate Nadine Barmentlo receiving the prestigious faculty medal for the faculty of health, engineering and sciences. The award is given to graduates who have demonstrated consistently high academic performance and exceptional critical thinking skills.
This is the fifth time a GUC student had earned either a faculty or school medal.
In another honour, four Aboriginal students — Shanae McGuire and Shanae Clohessy (primary education), Mariah Kara (psychology) and Nicole Wyatt (nursing) — wore special sashes in recognition of their achievements.
The GUC alumni network now consists of 605 graduates.
CLASS OF 2025
Nursing: 12 graduates
Accounting: 4
Arts: 1
Criminology and psychology: 1
Education (ECE/primary): 12
Education (secondary): 1
Paramedic science: 1
Psychology: 4
Psychology (Honours): 2
Medical sonography: 1
Social Work (Honours): 1
Graduate Diploma of Education: 1
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
'We want answers': probe launched into health service's use of grant funding
The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said.
SBS Australia
3 days ago
- SBS Australia
Could Australia's cost of living crisis have a silver lining for First Nations communities?
According to the head of Australia's fastest growing Aboriginal housing provider, the current cost of living crisis could provide opportunities for First Nations communities to address long overlooked concerns. Wiradjuri man and Birribee Housing CEO Paul Coe told NITV's The Point that issues like housing affordability and rising costs are now impacting Australians from all backgrounds. We Put The Blak In Blacktown 'When you look at current issues around cost of living ... things that have been a concern for Aboriginal communities for years, society's now joined them in this space,' he said. 'Society is now saying this is an election issue, which makes it a sweet spot for Aboriginal people to push and push for these outcomes as best they can.' Birribee Housing was established by the NSW Aboriginal Land Council in 2019 and now manages hundreds of properties across the state as well as having involvement in major developments like the renewal of Tolland Estate in Wagga Wagga. In Blacktown, home to the country's largest urban Indigenous population, Birribee manages more than 120 properties and operates an Aboriginal homelessness service in the region. 'It's often a sum loss game," said Coe. "There's more money going out than coming in, and it's difficult, particularly in the Aboriginal housing space when the stock in Western Sydney [is] quite aged. 'They're barely standing up. Old cottages that are cold, that are hot, and somehow society accepts that.' Mr Coe said that a broader approach was needed to go beyond the current closing the gap focus on reducing overcrowding. 'We know that homelessness is probably more often than not an outcome of a former institution," he said. "You've been in out-of-home care, you've been in jail, you've been in mental health, or there's been some other institutional effects on you. 'Your pathway to that hasn't been shaped by yourself or your family.... Aboriginal families lean into their family a lot for support, and so we hide that homelessness to a large degree. "But that hiding ... creates its own pressure points in households financially as well as wear and tear, and pressure across schools and everything else.' With around 60,000 people waitlisted for public housing across NSW, the need for new dwellings is critical. However Dharug Elder Uncle Chris Tobin said that growth shouldn't come at the expense of Country. 'This is the hard part for particularly TOs, or traditional custodians looking after their ancestral Country. We've still got that job,' he explained. 'We've got to keep looking at ways to rescue our Country and it's just so hard to do with this model of development that just wants more and more and more and which doesn't add to anyone's quality of life. 'Sadly, I think it's all about dollars and I think the health of the Country will take us in a direction that will be good for us ... "When the Country's healthy, we'll be healthy.' Paul Coe agreed that communities should use the increased political focus on housing solutions to advocate for the ongoing inclusion of culture and respect for the health of the land. 'They do become a real tangible election issue as we've seen through Labor and the push federally around housing,' he said. 'The difficulty you have is around this lack of bipartisan approach on the key issues around housing. A four or three year cycle is never going to solve something so critical to that. 'The development opportunity, or how we go through that, is to, one, make sure that we have housing, and that we curate our land as much as possible and that has to take some time to work through and a sustained effort and focus from people.' The Point airs Tuesdays 7.30 on NITV, and is available after the broadcast on SBS On Demand.
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
Emma Garlett: No amount of money can heal the wounds of Stolen Generations
For decades, West Australian children were taken from their families, for no reason other than their race. These were the Stolen Generations — thousands of Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their homes, denied access to their mothers and fathers, their communities and their culture. They were stolen, and they were stolen from. They were robbed of the basic right to live with their loved ones. The impact from that injustice has rippled out for generations. And now, the WA Government has put a dollar figure on their suffering. Under a redress scheme announced by Premier Roger Cook during Reconciliation Week, surviving members of the Stolen Generation are eligible for a one-off payment of $85,000. Mr Cook said the payments were an acknowledgement of a great injustice. 'It acknowledges the Stolen Generations era represents a sorrowful and shameful part of our history, and recognises that it has caused cycles of disadvantage and intergenerational trauma,' he said. 'No amount of money could ever make up for the experience of Stolen Generations members and their families, and the ongoing effects on people's lives.' He is right that it is inadequate. Australia's median annual income is about $72,500. In return for lifetimes of trauma and suffering, victims will receive a little over a year's wages. What of those Stolen Generation members who are no longer living? They receive nothing, their families receive nothing. Intergenerational trauma is exactly that: intergenerational. The death of a person who was stolen doesn't end the suffering. It continues in their own children and grandchildren, handed down through families. It almost seems convenient that we should wait so long to repay the victims of direct government action and then give no heed to the impacts the stolen generations had on their families. That said, there's no way money could ever heal those wounds. Instead, the Government needs to step up on other initiatives which will help to acknowledge the sins of the past and make real steps towards reconciliation. Labor has said it intends to 'partner with Aboriginal stakeholder organisations to develop measures for healing and truth telling'. When it does so, these healing and truth telling measures need to be enshrined in law. They need to be locked in, made more difficult to abolition should a future government have a change of heart. Emma Garlett is a legal academic and Nyiyaparli- Yamatji-Nyungar woman
