Apology to the Forgotten Australians who were in Melbourne Citymission’s care
Melbourne Citymission apologises unreservedly for any harm, distress or hurt that may have occurred to children and young people while in the care of its institutions and other out-of-home care facilities*.
The ‘Forgotten Australians’ Senate Inquiry has shown that life in institutional care was often bleak and caused lifelong pain and difficulties for many careleavers.
Melbourne Citymission deeply regrets any abuse, neglect and lack of appropriate care and nurture of children in its care. We accept that some children did not receive the love, nurturing and care to which they were so rightly entitled.
Melbourne Citymission encourages past careleavers who wish to discuss their experience with our services to make contact with us†. We are committed to Support careleavers to tell their story, recover their history or find supports that may be needed.
Rev Ric Holland
Chief Executive Officer
Melbourne Citymission
*Melbourne Citymission was responsible for an adoption service, Hartnett House, which included a children’s home and later, family group homes; the Elizabeth Fry Retreat, a hostel for young women, later called Swinborn Lodge; and Southport, which offered adolescent community placements.
†Contact the Melbourne Citymission Heritage Service on (03) 9487 9200.
Melbourne Citymission
For 155 years, Melbourne Citymission has worked with disadvantaged people across Melbourne and Victoria. Every week we help thousands of people build a clear pathway out of disadvantage, economic exclusion and social isolation.
Our services support:
- people to find a pathway out of homelessness
- disabled people to get the resources and support they need to live the life they want
- people to break the cycle of poverty and abuse
- people to find jobs, or enter into education and training.
