A Bairnsdale woman’s determination to raise awareness has helped change lives, after hosting a local information session for Forgotten Australians — people who grew up in institutional or out-of-home care before 1990.
The event was organised by Yvonne Cartwright, who took it upon herself to reach out to Open Place, the Victorian service that supports Forgotten Australians, to bring the session to East Gippsland.
Open Place’s Coordinator of Community Education, Richard Dove, said Yvonne’s initiative has already had a powerful impact.
“One woman who attended grew up in a state home and didn’t even know she was a Forgotten Australian,” Mr Dove said.
“She didn’t realise she was entitled to counselling, health support, redress, or even to join a social support group. Yvonne changed this person’s life — she should be incredibly proud of herself.”
Following the Bairnsdale session, the woman has since registered with Open Place and begun accessing the services available to her.
According to Mr Dove, this experience is not uncommon.
“Many Forgotten Australians who find us say that registering with Open Place not only changed their life, but saved their life,” he said.
“‘I wouldn’t be here without you’ are words we hear quite regularly.”
There are an estimated 500,000 Forgotten Australians across the country, many of whom have lived their adult lives unaware of the services and support available to them.
Open Place offers counselling, advocacy, social connection, and assistance in accessing health and redress entitlements for people who spent time in institutional or out-of-home care as children.
Yvonne’s community-driven effort to host the Bairnsdale session has helped connect locals to these vital supports — and brought greater awareness to a part of Australia’s history that continues to affect thousands of lives today.
