Ron's Gazette

Ron’s Gazette

June and July 2017

Supporting Tuart Place, 24 High St, Fremantle, WA Ph 08-6140-2380 Freecall 1800-619-795 or Email: [email protected] Web: www.tuartplace.org

All who were in out-of-home care during childhood are cordially invited to gather at Tuart Place each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 4-30pm.

T U A R T “Together we build Understanding, Acceptance, Respect and Trust. “When given appropriate care and nurturing, the Tuart Tree can stand strong and care for itself even through hard times”

FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIANS COMING TOGETHER INC. (FAC

This newsletter is produced by Ron Love, a Forgotten Australian, Chairman of Forgotten Australians Coming Together Inc, FACT, an Ambassador for Forgotten Australians and is active in working to further the interests of all people who experienced out-of-home care during childhood.

What is Act-Belong-Commit? It is a mental health promotion campaign that encourages individuals to take action to protect and promote their own mental wellbeing. The guidelines for positive mental health provide a simple approach that we can adopt to become more mentally healthy. ACT: Keep mentally, physically, socially and spiritually active – Take a walk, say g’day, read a book, do a crossword, dance, play cards, stop for a chat… BELONG: Join a book club, join a cooking class, be more involved in groups you are already a member of, go to community events… COMMIT: Support a good cause, help a neighbour, learn something new, take on a challenge, volunteer – be active, having a sense of belonging and having a purpose in life, all contributes to happiness and good mental health.

Thank you Gary for the great workshop on MANAGING YOUR AFFAIRS INTO THE FUTURE This Workshop will be from 10-30am to 12noon on Wednesday July 26th 2017. Gary is set to share ideas on how your legal affairs can be managed at a time when you are not able do it yourself, how to make a will, with discussions on how you might prepare to safeguard your future and ensure that your affairs are managed with YOUR best interests at heart. Discussions included the topic of your right to give directions about your future medical care. Gary’s information is much appreciated by many. Page 1 JUNE / JULY Edition 2017

Ron’s Gazette For people who were formerly Wards of the State, Child Migrants, Forced Adoptees, Fostered Children, members of the Stolen Generations, and non-Aboriginal Australians who were placed in institutional care during childhood – also known as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers “YOU JUST CAN’T KEEP A GOOD GROUP FROM RISING TO GREATER HEIGHTS” Tuart Place Events Calendar Tuart Place is open on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. For bookings please contact Vicky at reception or phone 6140 2380, Freecall1800-619-795, Email [email protected] Drop in Day: Each Monday: 10-30am to noon join the Singing Group or listen with a cuppa then share the Monday Lunch from noon to 1pm. Be part of the gathering. Free Counselling sessions available with psychotherapist Gordon Paton, by appointment. First Monday of each month: Social Activities Group meeting, 1pm at Tuart Place. Wednesdays: Join the Support Group from 10-15am - 12noon then share free lunch 12noon - 1pm Thursdays: Discover your creative side with Sue from 10am every Thursday. We have paper, paint and pencils so come along on Thursdays to explore your creative side in a relaxed environment Free counselling appointments: please contact Vicky Ph 08-6140-2380 Freecall 1800-619-795 or Email: [email protected] WA Genealogical Society (WAGS): Please contact Vicky to book an hour with WA Genealogical Society expert Lesley from 12.30pm to 4.30pm for assistance in family tracing / family history research. Book with Vicky for an appointment up to 30 minutes with Lawyer Gary Dean for Free legal advice Mon 22nd of May 2017 Book with Vicky for an appointment time for Men’s haircuts FREE with Jacqi from 1pm to 3pm on Mondays . on 10-7-17, 18-9-17, 23-10-17 and 27-11-17 . Thurs 29th: Drop in for a cuppa anytime! + Art & Craft 11am onwards July Mon 3rd: Singing Group 10.30am–12noon + Computer & Mobile Phone Help from 10.30am + Monday Lunch 12noon -1pm SAG Meeting 1pm Wed 5th: Support Group 10.30am – 12noon + Group Lunch 12noon -1pm Thurs 6th: Drop in for a cuppa anytime! Computer & Mobile Phone Help 1pm to 3pm, please book. Discover your creative side with Sue from 10am every Thursday. We have paper, paint and pencils so come along on Thursdays to explore your creative side in a relaxed environment Mon 10th: Singing Group 10.30am–12noon + Winter Warmer Event – Lunch, Raffle and Have a Go Talent Show from 12noon onwards + Men’s haircuts with Jacqi 1pm–3pm Wed 12th: Support Group 10.30am – 12noon + Group Lunch 12noon – 1pm Thurs 13th: Drop in for a cuppa anytime + Computer & Mobile Phone Help 1pm to 3pm, please book. Discover your creative side with Sue from 10am every Thursday. We have paper, paint and pencils so come along on Thursdays to explore your creative side in a relaxed environment Mon 17th: Singing Group 10.30am – 12noon + Computer & Mobile Phone Help From 10.30 + Monday Lunch 12noon-1pm + WAGS family tracing with Lesley with 1hr appts between 1pm – 4.pm Wed 19th: Addictive behaviours workshop with Gordon Paton 10.15am–12noon + Group Lunch 12noon- 1pm followed by a movie: A Street Cat named Bob Thurs 20th: Drop in for a cuppa anytime! + Computer & Mobile Phone Help 1pm to 3pm, please book. Mon 24th: Singing Group 10.30am – 12noon + Monday Lunch 12noon -1pm + Video: Caring for Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants & Stolen Generations starting 1pm Wed 26th: Managing your affairs into the future workshop with Gary Dean 10.15am–12noon + Group Lunch 12noon Thurs 27th: Drop in for a cuppa anytime! + Art & Craft 11am onwards Discover your creative side with Sue from 10am every Thursday. We have paper, paint and pencils so come along on Thursdays to explore your creative side in a relaxed environment Mon 31st: Singing Group 10.30am–12noon + Computer & Mobile Phone Help 10.30am + Monday Lunch 12noon -1pm August Wed 2nd: Meditation workshop with Niamh Barnaś 10.15am–12noon+Group Lunch 12noon-1pm Wed 9th: From Thriving to Surviving…The Second Half of Life by Christabel Wed 16th: Internet Show and Tell with Linda Barneston from 10-15am to12noon Wed 23rd: ‘Scitech Visit’ – Meet 10-30am at Scitech RSVP to Vicky by 14 -8-17 End of Year Picnic at Waterford on Sunday 4-12-17 Page 2 JUNE / JULY Edition 2017

THANK YOU Sally for sharing your welcome knowledge about Understanding Anxiety with a group of Care Leavers at Tuart Place on Wednesday June 7th 2017. It is normal to feel stress and anxiety when you’re facing a difficult situation but if those feelings don’t pass once the situation is over, you may find it hard to cope with day-to-day life. Sally was even more inspirational when donating an array .Sally’s books at Tuart Place of .helpful books that may assist Care Leavers now and in the future.

Free Legal Advice at Tuart Place At Tuart Place you can book a half hour appointment with Gary to discuss any general legal concerns or questions. Next sessions are on August 14th and October 2nd 2017. Telephone appointments can be arranged upon request. Please register soon with Vicky on 61402380, freecall 1800-619-795 or email: [email protected]. This important and significant service is being very well received and used by many who have lived-experience in out-of-home care during childhood. Telephone appointments can be arranged upon request.

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Ron’s Gazette For people who were formerly Wards of the State, Child Migrants, Forced Adoptees, Fostered Children, members of the Stolen Generations, and non-Aboriginal Australians who were placed in institutional care during childhood – also known as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers “YOU JUST CAN’T KEEP A GOOD GROUP FROM RISING TO GREATER HEIGHTS” The Lotto Group is an excellent, fun way for bonding with others. The Lotto Group started in 2011 and currently has 30 people enjoying being members. The guide-lines of the Lotto Group were formed by votes of the majority of members. The current system was adopted on Wednesday the 6th of November 2013 with the inclusion of an excel sheet for records. We have a healthy enthusiasm partly inspired by the valued support for Tuart Place by LotteryWest over the years. The funding from Lotterywest has boosted the ability for Tuart Place to support people who, as children, were Wards of the State, Child Migrants, Forced Adoptees, Fostered Children, The Stolen Generations and non-Aboriginal Australians, also known as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers. Being part of the Lotto Group offers opportunities with a happy incentive to enjoy good company at each gathering. It is good to support LotteryWest as they support us. ‘Some of us have not experienced being part of an extended family before’. Although we have not found the BIG result yet, our Lotto Group is really successful in encouraging a happy ‘sense of belonging’ and a great ‘family atmosphere’ which is enjoyed and appreciated by it’s members. Votes by the majority of membership have determined the way the Lotto Group is maintained. Our weekly input is just $2. We have enjoyed winnings of $100 or more being divided between paid-up members. A leeway is granted of two weeks after the date that a member is paid-up to before becoming ineligible to share in winnings. Members have enjoyed two reasonable wins but no ‘really big’ ones yet. Suggestions for improving our success with winnings are welcome. Winnings under $100 will be accumulated for funding an End Of Year celebration for the Lotto Group members and an End Of Year celebration originally for members of the Support Group and now others have been welcomed as well. Thank you to all the members whose much appreciated input has helped the Lotto Group be successful over the years. It’s your responsibility to keep your payments up to date! Don’t miss out on the big one. If you have an interest in managing the Lotto Group, please let me know? I can assist with you becoming acquainted with the system. Ron Tuart Place to Host State Workshop for National Records Project Tuart Place, in support of the ‘Setting the Record Straight for the Rights of the Child’ Initiative, will host a follow-up workshop from the highly successful National Summit held in Melbourne on May 8th & 9th, 2017. Initiative Convenor, Dr Joanne Evans from Monash University, is planning visits to each state in the second half of 2017 to discuss the Summit and its outcomes with the goal of furthering the development of a shared strategic vision and action plan. These state-based workshops will include hands on sessions focussing on areas of particular interest and local relevance, and explore what can be done, and by whom. The WA workshop, to be hosted by Tuart Place on Monday 4th September 2017, will bring together care leavers, advocates, decision-makers, and key figures in the community of experts in the archiving and record-keeping sector. As many West Australians know, finding records of a childhood spent in out-of-home care can be difficult and demoralising – and similar problems are experienced by care leavers across Australia. This national project seeks to find ways of improving access to historic Child Welfare records and creating better systems for children in care today. ‘The power of records to simultaneously hurt and heal is just one of the complexities that we need to confront...’ Dr Joanne Evans, Recordkeeping Researcher, Monash University. The National Summit in Melbourne was attended by Anglicare Royal Commission Support Service Coordinator Gail Green; Tuart Place Director Philippa White; Records and Research Manager at Find & Connect WA Juliet Ludbrook; Vice-Chair for Forgotten Australians Coming Together Inc, (FACT) Cevrina Reed; with Vlad Selakovic, National President of Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN). ‘Plastic Free July’ (PFJ) PFJ is a local initiative bringing awareness to the amount of plastic a person uses in 1 month. PFJ aims to raise awareness of some problems with single use disposable plastic and challenges people to do something about it. On Sunday 2-7-17 ‘Boomerang Bags and Plastic Free July’ was launched at 9.30am at the Growers Green Farmers Market, Lefroy Rd, Beaconsfield. Boomerang Bags is a community movement that began in Queensland 3 yrs ago and have made over 95,000 recycled free bags for the community to use. The bags are made by volunteers using recycled fabric and are available for shoppers to use when they forget their own shopping bags. This stops the need to use plastic bags. The bags are boomeranged around the community via stands which enable you to drop off and borrow again. This simple idea has given communities the opportunity to think and share sustainable practises, recycle materials and come together to stop the amount of single use plastic. A good crowd joined with Fremantle Mayor Brad Petitt, PFJ founder Rebecca Prince Ruiz, and Minister Simone McGurk, Member for Fremantle at Growers Green Farmers Market and see how we are embracing the future of single use plastic in our local community. Page 4 JUNE / JULY Edition 2017

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Ron’s Gazette For people who were formerly Wards of the State, Child Migrants, Forced Adoptees, Fostered Children, members of the Stolen Generations, and non-Aboriginal Australians who were placed in institutional care during childhood – also known as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers “YOU JUST CAN’T KEEP A GOOD GROUP FROM RISING TO GREATER HEIGHTS” Sylvia shares some family history This photo is of our family on the front steps of our family home in Manning South Perth. Dad had a War Service Loan and bought the house when there were only 7 houses in Manning near Canning Bridge and it was all bushland. The photo was taken just before my Mother became ill and spent around a year convalescing in a hospital. Our family GP put us in Wanslea as Dad was working away from home and he had to keep working to pay for Mums medical costs and further convalescence after her operation. We were in Wanslea for about a year. As my sister began going to Cottesloe Primary school while we were in Wanslea. Photo of my Dad at age 21 taken in Tel Aviv and sent to my Mother in a pen-pal letter. Dad did not get any mail and he was the Sergeant who passed out mail to the men of the 2/11th in Syria. One of the men who was from bluff point asked my father why he never had any mail himself. When Dad told him that he was an orphan and had no family, that man wrote home to his mother in bluff point W.A. because the Ladies Guild of the Bluff point Anglican church used to write to any servicemen who had no family. The letter with my father's details was given to my Maternal Grandmother because she had the same surname Stonehouse. ‘Granma’ and her daughters wrote to Sydney and dad was invited to spend his R&R with the family and to call my mother’s parents "Mum" & "Dad". This caused some confusion for people in Bluff Point when my father became engaged to my mother. My Mother's name was Sophia Louise Stonehouse before she met and married my father Sydney Stonehouse. They were pen-pals for the duration of the war and my Grandfather let my Mother marry Sydney before she turned 21. Grandad agreed to the match because Syd found a vacant derelict house in Geraldton despite the post-war housing shortage, repaired it and negotiated with the owners to rent it, so he could ask Grandad for permission to marry my Mother. Dad cut his hand working on the house the morning of the wedding and had to have stitches at the doctors and that is why there is a band-aid on his hand in the wedding photos. This photo was taken by a Social Worker who checked up on my father at the farm he was working on after he left Fairbridge. His first job was at the Minister for Lands farm and he got to dive a team of 7 horses and loved it. The Minister was very kind to him and it was his best job, but unfortunately a Catholic Priest came to the farm and told the Minister for Lands off for employing an Anglican orphan when there were plenty of Catholic boys who needed a job. Dad had to leave and find another job elsewhere. You can tell from his clothing in this photo, just how poor he was. He only got 10 shillings a week and half of his weekly pay was sent to Fairbridge to be banked until he turned 21. Dad's Godfather, Mr Maurice Thompson sent 1,000 English pounds to Fairbridge for when he turned 21 so he could buy his own farm but unfortunately the Secretary shot through with all the orphans money and my father never got his pay deductions back or the one thousand English pounds. The colour photo is of my father Sydney when Aaron was only 2 years old. Aaron is leaning against my knee and his youngest brother Adam is in my lap. My 3rd son’s wife Lathy and my 3rd son Tavis are on the left side of the back row beside my father Sydney. My 4th son Samual is leaning on my shoulder and his cousin timothy is to my left side. 1926 Group of Fairbridge boys, including Sydney Stonehouse, prior to embarking on the S.S. Bendigo to Fremantle Western Australia. Sydney is the squareish faced little boy, front-third from the right, in the front row.

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One to One Computer & Mobile Phone Help Whatever your skill-level (even if you have not turned on a computer before) you can get individual help. Use the computer room or bring in your iPad, Smart Phone or Digital Camera and learn to browse the internet, send emails, scan photos, shop online and more. Please call Tuart Place on 6140 2380, 1800-619-795 or email [email protected] to book a time with one of our friendly volunteers on Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Other times may also be available so please ask. Come to Tuart Place to share some friendly and helpful wisdom.

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Movies at Tuart Place Lunch from 12noon and movie from 1pm - Wednesday 28 June was…. . ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ Ricky is a rebellious young city kid who finds himself on the run with his foster uncle in the wild New Zealand bush. A national manhunt follows, and the two need to work together to survive in this hilarious and heartfelt adventure. A few sweats and popcorn encourages us to feel like we are at a theatre in town – but a bit more comfortable.

Child abuse commission refers more than 2000 (by Phoebe Warne, Canberra)The royal commission into Child Sexual Abuse has referred 2025 matters to authorities, with 127 cases already being prosecuted. Justice Peter McClellan, who chairs the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, will today (16-5-17) reveal the huge amount of abuse cases that he and his fellow commissioners have asked police to investigate. In WA, 198 matters have been passed on and 14 prosecutions have started. Justice McClellan will tell the National Council of Churches in Melbourne “The volume of referrals is so great that it will take some time before all matters are processed and prosecutions commenced.” The commission has heard evidence from more than 1200 witnesses at public hearings and privately heard a further 6700survivors since it began in 2013. In a recorded speech, Justice McClellan confirmed that most allegations received by the commission have emerged from faith-based institutions. This inevitably raises the question ‘Why’,” he said. “One matter is clear –When children are placed in residential facilities, whether an orphanage or a boarding school, access is more readily available to those with evil intent”. With the royal commission edging toward it’s completion in December, Justice McClellan urged the institutions to make the changes necessary “to ensure, as far as may be possible, that children are not abused in the future”. Last week’s Federal Budget included $33-4 million for setting up a National Redress scheme for victims of child sexual abuse. The commission had recommended a single scheme of $4-3billion to provide victims with counselling and compensation payments of UP TO $150,000.

Family Tracing with WAGS (WA Genealogical Society) Have you ever been interested in finding out more about your ancestry? You can pre-book a time with Lesley Sylvester for a one hour session appointment. Lesley, who is a family tracing expert from the WA Genealogical Society, is caring, efficient and donates her valuable time to assist us at Tuart Place. There are private times still available for the next sessions between 12.30pm and 4.30pm on Monday July 17th. Please register soon with Vicky on 61402380, freecall 1800-619-795 or email: [email protected]. Thank you Harri for the FREE Hearing Checks at Tuart Place. Thank you to Harri from ‘Australian Hearing’ for carrying out a multitude of FREE hearing checks for Care Leavers at Tuart Place on June 19th. Australian Hearing is the nation’s leading hearing specialist and largest provider of Government-funded hearing services. Australian Hearing Services Program has over 500 locations with 70 years’ experience of providing subsidised hearing-care to eligible people, including pensioners and Harri and Philip Page most veterans. Do you know if you have hearing loss? Getting your hearing checked is simple and painless. For more information write to, or visit Australian Hearing at 1 Point St, Fremantle, WA 6160 - call 08 9435 1400 or email to [email protected]

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Men’s haircuts Free by Jacqi Jacqi has been genuinely appreciated for donating her valuable time and professional expertise for Care Leavers at Tuart Place for a few years now and is kindly regarded as one of the Tuart Place extended family. Jacqi is the favourite hairdresser and personal stylist of many Care Leavers. ‘Repunzeled’ is the name of her Salon on the 1st floor of 261 Queen Victoria Street in North Fremantle Ph 08-9200-2239. Book with Vicky for an appointment time for Men’s haircuts FREE. Dates are: Mondays from 1pm onwards on 10-7-17, 18-9-17, 23-10-17 and 27-11-17.

Chair Yoga - a great way to find relaxation The much appreciated relaxation continues with Niamh Barnaś from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesdays. At Tuart Place you can enjoy the benefits of YOGA in a gentle class accessible to anyone. Practice seated or standing Yoga poses to help benefit your mobility, flexibility and relaxation with the chair providing more support and stability. With CHAIR YOGA you may reduce your stress level as well? If you thought Yoga was too difficult for you, maybe NOW is the time to give this gentle technique a try? Activities in partnership with the City of Fremantle. Join the Meditation Workshop with Niamh Barnaś Wednesday 2 August 10.15am to 12 noon. Meditation is a great way to relieve stress and tension in our lives. Niamh will take us through some simple meditation techniques in a relaxed and friendly environment. When one becomes skilled in regular meditation, the mind becomes free from agitation, is calm and serene and at peace when meditation happens. The benefits of meditation are manifold. It is an essential practice for mental hygiene. A calm mind allows good concentration, clarity of perception, improvement in communication, blossoming of skills and Niamh Barnaś talents, an unshakable inner strength, healing, the ability to connect to an inner source of energy, rejuvenation, relaxation, and good luck are all natural results of meditating regularly. In today's world where stress catches on faster than the eye can see or the mind can perceive, meditation is no more a luxury. It is a necessity. To be unconditionally happy and to have peace of mind, we need to tap into the power of meditation. Is now a good time for you to give it a try?

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Congratulations Mike and the Sausage Sizzle team of volunteers for another fantastic effort at Bunnings at the corner of South and Yarrick streets in O’Connor on Sat 10-6-17. Mike is pictured presenting the raffle prize. Congratulations to Aisa from Kardinya, who purchased the winning Raffle ticket. Thank you to all who donated items for the raffle prize and who were part of a successful team effort on the day. Bunnings is much appreciated for allowing Tuart Place Participants to hold Sausage Sizzles at their ‘Connor premises. Mike extends his appreciation to all the volunteers who helped raise over $1,000 at this Sausage Sizzle event and all those members of the Tuart Place extended family who came to support them by buying raffle tickets and/or a hot dog. Pleasant weather and a great team effort was enjoyed with Ann taking orders and collecting monies, Alf and Noel preparing onions, Johnno, John and Epe doing the cooking, Elizabeth cutting up the buns, Mary and Julie efficiently running the raffle which included two very much appreciated gift vouchers totalling $80 were donated by Linda and Peter. What an excellent outcome and a great team effort. Because of everyone’s continued support the SAG Committee's commitment to Tuart Place and its members is going from strength to strength. Thank you again to Tony Galati of the Spud Shed for another kind donation of 35Kgs of onions for our Fund Raising Sausage Sizzle. Please let Mike know if you have donations for the raffle and if you are available to volunteer for the next Sausage Sizzle on Sunday 3-9-17? For more information please join the next Social Activities Group meeting at 1pm on each first Monday of the month at Tuart Place? Wondering how to treat your Sore feet? Students from UWA's Podiatry Clinic will be at Tuart Place On the afternoon of Monday, August 7th, students will carry out free basic foot assessments and treatments and will be able to advise us on whether any further treatment is needed. The students will be supervised by a qualified Podiatrist from the University of WA. Sore feet? Students from UWA's Podiatry Clinic will be at Tuart Place in the afternoon on Monday 7th August.

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'Outreach to those unable to attend Tuart Place' by Susy Vaughan New Phone Contact Service - by Susy Vaughan is a key goal in Tuart Place's 2016-20 Strategic Plan because many care leavers who can't access face-to-face services - due to geographical location, age or ill health - have said it would be helpful to receive support by phone. A recent Tuart Place survey, posted to 990 care leavers in February 2017, included two questions about a proposed Phone Contact service. Ninety- four percent of the 123 people who responded to these questions thought it was important for Tuart Place to provide such a service, and 64 people (60%) indicated that they would be interested in using the service. Over the next few weeks this group of people were sent a letter of acknowledgment and advised that they would be receiving a call from a Tuart Place support worker. Most calls so far have been made by Notre Dame Masters of Counselling student, Sue Leaver, who is on a placement at Tuart Place. From these initial calls, 30 people have requested ongoing phone contact - ranging from 4-6 weekly informal conversations to weekly or fortnightly phone counselling sessions. Many have expressed relief and/or appreciation knowing they can receive a regular call and have a chat about anything on their mind. Common themes so far have been health problems, social isolation, emotional distress and family difficulties. This service could also be helpful to people who would like to access ‘in-home aged care entitlements’, and wanting help to navigate the aged care sector. If you're interested in finding out more about the phone contact and support service, please call Vicky on 6140 2380 or email [email protected]

Vale Anthony Foster On Tuesday March 27th, 2017 the news reached across Australia that Anthony Foster had passed away in a Melbourne hospital, aged 64. Anthony and Chrissie Foster are very much appreciated for the many years that they dedicated their lives to bringing about justice for survivors of child sexual abuse. "By speaking out against child sexual abuse, Anthony helped other victims find their voice and gave them strength. Their tireless advocacy helped bring about this Royal Commission. For over two decades, Anthony and Chrissie Foster generously supported countless survivors and their families with a dignity and grace whilst also managing their own grief. Anthony is very much a respected inspiration who will not be forgotten as the fight for justice goes on. A fond farewell to Luke Simeon MOW Born 8th April 1967 in Robinvale, Victoria As a child, Luke lived at St Joseph's Home (Nazareth House) in Sebastopol, Victoria. He was visiting family and friends in his home town this June 2017 when he died peacefully in his sleep. Luke turned 50 this year. He is survived by his sister Mary Yarran, three of his brothers and six children. Luke is fondly remembered and missed by the Tuart Place extended family. Our sincere condolences to Luke's family.

From Surviving to Thriving ... the second half of life Workshop Information session Wednesday 9th August, 10.30am - 12noon. Surviving those negative experiences in childhood that can often lead to difficulties in adult life. Clinical psychologist Christabel Chamarette is set to share some of her helpful ideas and useful tips on how to let go of the past so we may move forward to increase our contentment, peace of mind, and overall enjoyment of life. Please book with Vicky for this very helpful session on 6140 2380 or email [email protected]

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Cost of Funerals?….not an easy subject Rob Eddy, a participant at Tuart Place, has shared his concerns that Advertising by funeral companies gives us the impression that we need to spend upwards of $6000. It is advisable for people to know there are options to enquire about before their special occasion. When organising a funeral for a family member Rob discovered there are quite a few services available. A couple that Rob looked into are ‘Value Funerals Cremation Services’ and ‘Simplicity Funerals’. There are lots more. By taking time for discussing ways in which the family could provide, e.g. flowers and newspaper notice, etc’, they were able to hold a lovely service for under $3000. There are other companies which offer similar options. There are often hidden items which are added to the overall cost. Rob found it rewarding to find what is in the itemised account before he signed-up for a service or a package deal. He feels that it is essential to ask questions and to get answers from a variety of funeral services. Eg, for their itemised account. With the answers you may have a better understanding of what is available and what you will be paying for. Does your choice provide what your family wants? Is the full service at the cost you are all happy to pay? Is the family happy with the itemised services that will actually take place? The difference between knowing and not knowing can be in thousands of dollars. Rob hopes this information will help ease the load at times you may be involved when friends and family members pass on. PADDY CANNON - FINDING FAMILY - DECADES ON Michael Derrig of Castlebar, in Northern Ireland, recently got a surprise that he wasn't expecting when he and his family discovered that they had an 80 year old big brother! Listen to this heart-warming story of two men who never knew up to recently that they were family. We are so happy for you Paddy and for your family. Listen to Paddy’s interview recorded on N Ireland’s Midwest radio on the net. Page 12 JUNE / JULY Edition 2017

THANK YOU FOR MAKING A GOOD DIFFERENCE Congratulations and Thank You to all the folks who contribute their skills, expertise and some of their valuable time and dollars each month for the benefit of Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants in WA. If you are already sponsoring a project or contributing to Tuart Place, you are MAKING A GOOD DIFFERENCE for the welfare of many of us who could use some support at times when things are not going well. Your worthwhile and very much appreciated contributions are used to offer a better quality of life for adults who have experienced out-of-home care during childhood and are seeking assistance now. When you proudly share the news of your contributions with friends, please remember to invite them to also MAKE A GOOD DIFFERENCE toward supporting Forgotten Australians & Former Child Migrants?

Tuart Place is open from 9-30am to 4-30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for all to get to know us better. While joining our Famous Free Monday lunches at 12noon, you may ask how you can contribute to a wide range of services and projects happening now or planned for the future.

Opinions expressed in Ron’s Gazette are those of individuals and not necessarily those of the editor, the Board for Forgotten Australians Coming Together Inc, or Tuart Place and membership. Any advice, either explicit or implied is not intended to replace qualified medical advice. At Tuart Place you are welcome to voice your suggestions, so your valued ideas for Group entertainment and other interests may be shared, negotiated and may be put into a plan of action? You may choose to anonymously use our Suggestion Box, located, for your convenience, in the main hall. Please share your ideas for ways in assisting the progress and preservation of the good name of Tuart Place? The friendly staff are also available to help arrange Reunions and events for Special Interest Groups at Tuart Place and other venues. Contact Tuart Place on 61402380, Freecall: 1800-619-795 or email [email protected] .

. “Together we build Understanding, Acceptance, Respect and Trust” “When given appropriate care and nurturing, the Tuart Tree can stand strong and care for itself eve n through hard times” Page 13 JUNE / JULY Edition 2017