Kinchela Boys Home (KBH) carries a lot of painful memories for many, but through a new Mobile Education Centre (MEC) survivor and local elder, Uncle Roger Jarrett, hopes to share the details of what the boys endured.
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"I'm a survivor of Kinchela Boys Home, and I want to get the truth out about what happened to us," he said.
"We need to make sure places like KBH never happen again, the forced labour, the beatings, children forcibly removed from their families, everyone needs to know the truth about the Stolen Generations so that we can move forward together as a community and a country."
The MEC is Australia's first travelling exhibition designed to create a truth-telling and healing experience around the Stolen Generations and the infamous Kinchela Boys Home.
The front half of the MEC is adorned with images and stories, which were curated by KBHAC CEO Dr Tiffany McComsey and KBH survivors.
"The back half has been converted into a cinema with a 65' screen, where we show a short animated film made by some of the Uncles, giving everyone a first-hand account of their experiences at Kinchela Boys Home," designer and project manager Christophe Domergue said.
The MEC experience starts with the film and then there is an opportunity to talk with a KBH survivor and ask questions. The exhibition is open to the public but has also seen groups of school children within its walls.
"We recently had some Year 6 kids come through, they were wonderful, they all listened and asked great questions," Uncle Roger said.
"This is only a trial run at the moment, but after feedback from the public and schools, I hope we can expand state-wide and then nationally."
Anybody interested in learning more about Kinchela Boys Home can see the MEC at the following dates and locations:
- Friday December 6 - 10am until 4pm - Stuarts Point Hall, 2A Ocean Street, Stuarts Point
- Saturday December 7 -10am until 4pm- Bellbrook School of Arts, 52 Main Street, Bellbrook
- Sunday December 8 -10am until 4pm - Oddfellows Hall, 22 Kemp Street, West Kempsey
- Saturday December 14 -10am until 4pm - The Rotunda, Baker Street, Crescent Head