Justice for the Stolen Generation

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Almost everything Neville Austin has ever wanted is contained in a one page letter he received this week from the Victorian Government.

Mr Austin, 47, who was separated from his mother in 1964 is the first victim of the Stolen Generation in Victoria to gain compensation.
His settlement includes an undisclosed amount of money, but is the state’s written expression of “true apology and deep regret” that means the most.

“It’s a salute to a mother who never gave up loving me,” Mr Austin said.

“It’s the value of the apology that matters. It’s one for mum, it’s very special.”

Mr Austin’s mother Eileen gave him up to the then Social Welfare Department when he was seven months old because she couldn’t properly look after him.

In official terms she “entered into an agreement” with the department to pay for her son to board at St Gabriel’s Babies Home in Melbourne.