Bernie and Jen Allen travelled to Dubbo to rediscover cultural history with Link-Up Queensland

A man whose Aboriginal mother was removed from her family has reconnected with his culture and rediscovered his sense of identity in Dubbo. Read his story here.

A man who travelled from Queensland to the Central West to reconnect with his mother’s heritage after she was removed from her family was “privileged” to be brought to Wiradjuri country.

Bernie and his wife Jen Allen travelled to Dubbo with Link-Up Queensland after caseworkers revealed he had cultural connections with Wiradjuri land.

The service aims to bring a sense of “peace, identity and belonging” to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who have been separated from their family and culture.

Mr Allen’s mother was an Aboriginal child who was removed from her family, losing connection to her cultural history.

“I realise how fortunate I am – there’s lots of other people out there who never get to go home,” Mr Allen said.

“They will never make those connections and I’m just so grateful for me and my kids to be able to know who we are and where we are from.”

Jen and Bernie Allen. Photo: Tijana Birdjan.

Mr Allen told The Dubbo News he approached Link-Up three years ago with no intention of being a client, however, the caseworkers discovered a lot of his history.

“I feel privileged and relieved because it was very possible that I wouldn’t reach this point – a lot of people don’t reach this point,” he said.

The Link-Up team introduced Jen and Bernie to local leaders. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

“It’s like an extra piece of me that now fits in that I didn’t know was missing.”

Mr Allen’s mother felt “positive” about his reconnection journey, however she expressed reservations on experiencing the complexities and trauma again.

“Her sense of self as an Indigenous person and what that means for her probably isn’t something she prioritises at this time – there’s other elements to her wellbeing that she focuses on,” he said.

Link-Up counsellor Christine Kanoski said reunions of clients with their homeland is “always rewarding”.

“There’s a sense of satisfaction from linking people into something and making a connection,” she said.

“I think it’s really important to learn their connections, their sense of identity so they make more of a sense of their belonging.”

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]