New memorial to the stolen generation unveiled at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park

A NEW memorial dedicated to the Aboriginal community’s stolen generation will be unveiled at a special ceremony in Sydney’s south.

Aunty Barb at the new Aboriginal memorial at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park. Picture: Craig Wilson

A NEW memorial dedicated to the Aboriginal community’s stolen generation will be unveiled at a special ceremony in Sydney’s south on Friday.

On National Sorry Day, Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park will welcome former NSW governor Marie Bashir to dedicate the memorial to Aboriginal children who were taken from their families, and those they left behind.

La Perouse elder Aunty Barbara Simms-Keeley campaigned for years to have the special memorial built.

“I was blown away when I saw it. I got very emotional,” she said. “Just to be there, to sit and reflect. It’s very important to us.”

Aunty Barb was just nine years old when, in 1956, welfare officers came for her and her brothers Victor, Sonny and Robert and sister Ruth.

The park has more stolen generations relatives and children at rest than any other cemetery in Sydney. Picture: Craig Wilson

Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park chief executive Graham Boyd said the memorial allowed for an acknowledgment of what the stolen generations experienced.

The park has more stolen generations relatives and children at rest than any other cemetery in Sydney, according to the elders.

“Aunty Barb within a group of lady elders from the local community came to meet with us 18 months ago,” Mr Boyd said.

Aunty Barb and Graham Boyd at the new memorial. Picture: Craig Wilson

“The result was a meaningful collaboration between the park and the community to create something special.”

The memorial was designed by Nadia Lanfranco and includes elements symbolic to the La Perouse Aboriginal community.

STOLEN GENERATION ‘UNABLE TO HEAL’

During Friday’s ceremony, families of the Stolen Generations will also be invited to release butterflies.

The official opening starts at 10.30am.