'Orphans of the living', article by Nikki Barraclough, 2000, courtesy of Kindly provided by Lana Syed.
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The term 'Forgotten Australians' came into common use around the time of the publication of first report of the Senate Inquiry into Children in Institutional Care in 2004. The term 'Forgotten Australians' was used by the Senate to describe the thousands of people who experienced institutional or out-of-Home care in Australia in the twentieth century, particularly during the period from the 1930s to the 1970s. However, not every person who falls into this category identifies him or herself as a 'Forgotten Australian', or believes that their experience can be captured by this, or any other term.
Support groups for 'care leavers' and 'Forgotten Australians' have expressed the importance of distinguishing these people from other groups institutionalised as children, such as adoptees, child migrants and members of the Stolen Generations. Indeed, the 'Forgotten Australians' Report of 2004 was in response to years of lobbying by groups such as CLAN (Care Leavers Australia Network).
Prepared by: Cate O'Neill
Created: 6 March 2009, Last modified: 13 February 2018