The Forgotten Australians: Adele Chynoweth at TEDxCanberra

"Researchers have argued that Australia has the highest rate of institutionalisation of children in the world. So how, as a nation, do we respond to this?"
Adele Chynoweth is a theatre director and museum curator working on narratives of Forgotten Australians: more than 500,000 Australians who spent their childhood in orphanages and other institutions.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@joeblow5719]

so many stories that will never be told , it's an apology I will never except.

[@dennisfogarty1938]

Thank you my friend, Adele. As I said once.... don't give up the fight, as it will happen and justice will be done. Cheers, Dennis

[@guatal1915]

hello! sorry to ask but how douse orphanages now work in australia?

[@sofiamajewski]

Bravo, Adele! A powerful message - beautifully constructed. I've viewed this several times since you first delivered it. It still stirs me and makes me sad and angry! You treated this story with huge respect for the people who truly were and still are - The Forgotten Australians.

[@priscillataylor6521]

Adele thank you,you are a diamond,rare & beautiful,to us,Forgotten Australian's.

[@scorpiewhichypants9377]

Dr. Chynoweth, It's really sad that this had to be recorded as it should never have happened in the first place. I am a very long distance friend of one of the young ladies whose story was included in your video. It was devastating to hear her story directly. I was happy when a resolution was finally reached and a formal apology was issued. However, in my opinion, the apology, can never, ever heal or undo the horrors the children were forced to endure in their so very young lives. I can only hope it will never happen again. Thank you for helping them share their stories.

[@isahighlander4825]

One of the things that no-one is talking about is the child taken from the family home because it was cheeper to remove and raise the children through the system , than it was to try and prove abuse. Another thing they do not talk about is institutions for children that had 'Maternity Wards' attached to them...such as the place MINDA in Sydney. Babies taken from girls who's parents were among those who abused them, and those who just did not want them. Wards of the state remained wards of the state until they were 21, and even outside the institution, the girls that fell pregnant, or had a child, had their children taken from them. Saving money and making money from these children, some of whom were not counciled through their grief, and were put on sedatives when they were angry about it.

[@TheForgottenMagpie]

Very well put. Your understanding of Forgotten Australians has earned you my respect. Thank you Adele.

[@grahamevans3921]

Thank you Adele for speaking for us, your friend Graham Evans.

[@OwildC33]

You are a treasure,and a wonderful person.

[@livingproof444]

Such an incredible insight to so much pain endured by those who had no voices and certainly had no rights. Maybe people will listen and develop understanding watching this.

[@cherrypie7663]

Thank you Adele, the voices from the wilderness are calling to you.

[@wilmarobb5543]

Thank you Adele !You speak with so much passion and understanding. oxox

[@philippawhite1126]

Congratulations Adele on this powerful and insightful presentation, and thank you for your work on behalf of Forgotten Australians. Philippa White, Tuart Place.

[@JaniceKonstantinidis]

Thank you Adele, I am so grateful to you.

[@MurrayLegro]

Brilliant narration. I hope a memorial is built in Canberra for all who were affected by them flawed and brutal policies of the past be they Stolen generation, Forgotten Australian, Child migrants, Mothers whose children were removed under the past forced adoption practices and all those adopted

[@barbarasmith9825]

Mu
rray Legro

[@barbarasmith9825]

Nm z

[@ForgottenAustralians]

Great work Adele. Many respects..

[@parragirl8376]

Thank you Adele!

[@rabyaashki]

Brilliant Adele! Thank you

[@ChristineJHarms]

You have my Respect and Thank You so much

[@hauthesun]

I can't believe I never learnt this in school, this is basically outright denial

[@jaynehinds3339]

😢😢😢

[@rebeccaquinn8358]

So sad

[@maggieharvey1176]

I go under different name i wont use my real name