A PLAQUE installed at the Gannawarra Shire Children’s Centre will act as a lasting recognition to indigenous residents who were forcibly taken from their families by government authorities.
A large crowd gathered at the Kerang-based centre on Wednesday for the unveiling of the plaque remembering the Stolen Generation.
The memorial honours those who were taken to from their families to Cootamundra’s Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls and Kinchela’s Aboriginal Boys Training Home.
Many of those who were housed at both venues, known as “Coota Girls” and “Kinchela Boys”, have either resided or have descendants in the area.
“Council was so pleased to be involved in this event and to see the collaborative effort between caring people who were proud to acknowledge the Stolen Generation and the impact it had,” council’s director of community well-being, Mandy Hutchinson said.
The event included a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, followed by a presentation by local Elders, the plaque unveiling and Tyipen Kwe’s performance of The Creation Dance.
“This ceremony was a long-term event that began planning when Aunty Shirley McGee approached former Mayor, Cr Lorraine Learmonth to request that acknowledgment of the Stolen Generation be made,” Ms Hutchinson said.
Council partnered with Mallee District Aboriginal Services, Southern Mallee Primary Care Partnerships, Northern District Community Health, Cohuna District Health, Kerang District Health and Victoria Police to facilitate the event.
