More than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls connected to the former Aboriginal Girls Home, West End have been identified through research undertaken by Link-Up (Qld), with their names now publicly available to help reconnect families.
The list, published on the Link-Up (Qld) website, creates an opportunity for descendants to come forward, share their information, and potentially uncover family connections that were disrupted by the government laws, policies and practices that caused the Stolen Generations.
The Aboriginal Girls Home, West End operated from 1899 to 1906 under legislation that enabled the removal and control of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Home was located at what is now Orleigh Park in West End, where girls and young women were brought to Brisbane to be trained as domestic servants for white households, often far from their families and communities.
Building on earlier work, Link-Up (Qld) undertook extensive research of historical records to identify 80 women and girls who are directly or indirectly referenced as having been at the Home. Their names are now available online as part of an ongoing effort to honour their lives and support healing for descendants.
Link-Up (Qld) chief executive Patricia Thompson AM said the work "is about recognising the women and girls who were removed from their families, and creating opportunities for descendants to reconnect with that history".
Link-Up (Qld) is encouraging anyone who believes they may be a descendant of one of the women listed to submit their details via a form on the organisation's website. Information provided may assist with further research, strengthen family and community connections, and support future initiatives linked to the project, including commemorative activities.
"Now that we have uncovered this information about the women and girls who lived at the Home, we will be consulting with community and descendants to determine the most appropriate ways to honour them, including potential exhibitions or a permanent memorial," Ms Thompson said.
Descendants who register their interest may also receive updates about the project and opportunities to contribute to future initiatives.
Link-Up (Qld)'s annual Sorry Day Breakfast will be held at the site of the former Home at Orleigh Park, West End on Friday 22 May. This is a free community event and all are welcome to attend. The program will feature Stolen Generations survivors and performances by Kristal West and the Nunukul Yuggera Dancers.
Attendance can be registered via the Link-Up (Qld) website. More information, including the list of names, and how to register for the Sorry Day event, is available online.
