Steps towards reconciliation
Western Health has taken a significant step in our journey towards reconciliation by apologising for the historical forced removal practices imposed on First Nations women and babies.
This formal apology is being made after extensive consultation with our First Nations community, and, as part of our commitment to the healing of country, equity in health outcomes and the ongoing journey of reconciliation.
Watch CEO Russell Harrison deliver the apology in the video or read the apology in the document below.
Our commitment
Western Health is committed to the preservation of First Nations culture, keeping families together and respectfully listening and learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Western Health will protect all First Nations women and babies from ongoing institutional racism and harm and will work to reform the system so that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait mothers and babies are safe.
For families who experienced firsthand the impact of historical forced removal of First Nations babies in our hospitals, we encourage you to make contact with us, so we can provide you with as much information as we can about the circumstances of your delivery or birth.
A tailored freedom of information (FOI) request form is available on our website. All fees in relation to FOI requests for medical records relating to adoption will be waived.
So as not to cause further distress to individuals seeking access to historical medical records, please note that for reasons beyond our control we are not able to locate records for Bacchus Marsh Regional Hospital for the periods 1952-1956, 1958-1969, 1989-1992 and 1998-2000.
The Victorian Government has established a redress scheme to acknowledge the impact of historical forced adoption practices. For more information about the Historical Forced Adoption Redress Scheme, please visit Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Scheme.
First Nations people and their families can access services and support to address challenges and trauma experienced as members of the Stolen Generations.
This includes inter-generational and trans-generational family members. Services available include counselling, family history services and healing programs.
Services
These services will also help you explore your Aboriginal family history:
Stolen Generations Funeral Fund (administered by Connecting Home)
The Victorian Government provides the Stolen Generations Funeral Fund to support towards the funeral costs of Stolen Generations who have passed away.
Connecting Home is a dedicated, culturally-safe support service for the Stolen Generations across South-Eastern Australia.
Provides a confidential client-based genealogy research and referral service.
Link-Up Victoria helps the Stolen Generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were removed from their families.
Public Record Office Victoria - Koorie Records Unit
The Koorie Records Unit promotes awareness about Aboriginal records within the Public Record Office Victoria collection and aims to improve accessibility of these records to the Aboriginal community.