Have you been in care with the following organisation:

• Melbourne Orphanage
• Melbourne Family Care Organisation
• Victorian Children's Aid Society
• Family Action
• Family Focus

If so, you may be interested in one or more of the areas below:

Apology

OzChild acknowledges the failures associated with a number of children in its care which have had unfavourable life long impacts on those individuals.

OzChild sincerely and unreservedly apologises to all those who suffered abuse or had other distressing experiences while resident in our facilities, and expresses deep regret at any ongoing pain suffered by these individuals.

The actions of individual staff members who perpetrated any abuse is not condoned in any way.  This reflects badly on the work of the majority of our staff who undertook their work with integrity and deep regard for the children entrusted to their care.  OzChild is committed to working at identifying ways to prevent abuse of any kind to children supported by OzChild.

OzChild encourages former residents who wish to discuss their experience in our facilities to make contact with us. OzChild will assist those under its care as children to locate any personal records that may be available.  We will also discuss with individuals any further practical assistance that those individuals may seek and, if desired, can put them in contact with organisations funded to support care leavers.

Organisations supporting care leavers

Listed at the end of this page are funded support organisations and others which may be useful contacts for care leavers.

Accessing Files

OzChild keeps more recent case files in secure storage off site. Older files (primarily pre-1950), are placed in the Manuscript Section of the State Library. If you would like to check whether your file is in the OzChild archives or the State Library, please contact OzChild Head Office on (03) 9695 2200 or contact us here.

If we have your files in our archives then you will need to make a request in writing to the Executive Officer, OzChild, PO Box 1312, South Melbourne, 3205 to view your files.

Once we have received the written request, we will photocopy your files and forward them to you as soon as possible.  Please be aware that the process of retrieving your file from our secure archive facility, and reviewing it to ensure compliance with privacy legislation, may take up to eight weeks.

If your file is in the State Library you will need a letter of authorisation from OzChild to access your records.  You will need to make an appointment before you visit the State Library.  Contact OzChild on (03) 9695 2200 or contact us here.

Histories

The following books on histories of the organisation, which may put the care experience in context for you, are available from OzChild Head Office:

Asylum to Action 1851- 1991 by historian Donella Jaggs, covers the history of The Melbourne Orphanage, Melbourne Family Care Organisation and Family Action.

Selina's Legacy: from VCAS to OzChild by historian Della Hilton, covers the history of the Victorian Children's Aid Society.

Copies are available from Head Office:

OzChild
PO Box 1312
(Level 3, 150 Albert  Road)
South Melbourne  Vic  3205

Phone: (03) 9695 2200, Fax: 9696 0507, Contact us here.

Policy and Procedures for care leavers

Melbourne Orphanage Reunion

Each year, on the Sunday before the Melbourne Cup in November, OzChild organises a reunion for people who were in the Melbourne Orphanage. In the past few years the reunion has been held in the grounds of the St Leonards Church in Brighton.

OzChild maintains a list of former residents who are keen to attend.  If you would like to have your name included, please contact OzChild Head Office on (03) 9695 2200 or contact us here.

Contacts for care leavers

Links to organisations which care leavers may find useful to contact are detailed below.

CLAN

PO Box 164
GEORGES HALL  NSW  2198
www.clan.org.au

Care Leavers Australia Network (CLAN) is a support and advocacy group for people brought up in care away from their family as state wards or were 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".

VANISH

PO Box 112
CARLTON SOUTH  VIC  3053
Level 3, 100 Franklin Street
MELBOURNE  Vic  3000

Phone:  9328 8611
Freecall 1800 334 043
Fax:  9329 1752
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.vanish.org.au

VANISH provides a formal structure which efficiently and effectively delivers advice, search and support to any member of the community who has experienced separation from their family of origin through adoption, being placed in an institution or foster care or through donor conception.  It is a Victorian State Government funded service.

VANISH staff and volunteers have a personal experience in search and reunion and are happy to assist any person undertaking research.

Create

HEAD OFFICE
Level 6 - 280 Pitt St
SYDNEY  NSW  2000

Phone: 02 9267 1999
Freecall:  1800 655 105
Fax:   02 9267 9433
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.create.org.au

Create can be contacted to find out about opportunities for children and young people in care. Create improves the care system through activities, programs, training and policy advice.

To check out the website for young people leaving care www.createyourfuture.org.au

Alliance for Forgotten Australians

C/- Families Australia
Suite 3, 7 National Circuit
BARTON  ACT  2600

Phone:  02 6273 4885
Fax:  02 6273 4886
www.familiesaustralia.org.au

The national Alliance for Forgotten Australians is auspiced by Families Australia, an independent, peak, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the needs and interests of families.  Families Australia is not aligned to any political party or religious group.

The Alliance promotes the interests of people who were raised in orphanages, Homes, or other out-of-home care, in the 20^th century.  As an aid to inform and educate health and welfare professionals about the experiences and needs of these people, the Alliance has produced a booklet entitled, "Forgotten Australians: supporting survivors of childhood institutional care in Australia."  It is available, free of charge, from Families Australia, while stocks last.