Raddy,

I was raised in an institution where there was a fair number of the migrant children you describe. The institution was typical of the period and had many of the faults of those days. Predators there were, and cruelty, not unusual for the time.

I went to a reunion around 1987 and was curious as to how my compatriots had handled life, Australian and Migrant.

Surprising the great majority were well adjusted and had done quite well for themselves, this despite what was at times a less than desirable childhood.

I have given this outcome a great deal of thought over time and have been interviewed at length by a number of different parties as to my views.

I personally think a group of children under duress display a greater level of morality, care for their fellows and compassion than any group of adults could ever hope to achieve. Adults were distant figures to us and to be avoided, children pick up the bad habits from adults, left to their own devices it is surprising what they achieve. They would put most adults to shame.

The rules of behaviour in this institution were set by the children. Sure the adults said stand here, do this, do that but personal relationships and the rules came from the children and were to be admired.

I would not recommend it as a way to raise children but as a crucible to bring out the best in the young, it certainly did that, I saw and experienced outstanding behaviour rarely seen in adults.

There is a great deal of concentration on the negatives of these times, and rightly so, but there should also be recognition as to what the great majority of these children achieved despite the neglect and rough life that was dealt to them in their formative years.

Take it easy.

SD

RnR,

There were quite a few names about Perth back a bit, those who had made their mark, and a bit of delving would reveal that they had come from one of these institutional back grounds. It was shame thing at one time, not to be mentioned but in more recent times something to be proud of, a bit like convict ancestry.

I went to Sydney at age 15, started an apprenticeship with QANTAS, raised myself and never mentioned my institutional back ground to anyone. No one asked, I was just a kid from Perth. It is only in more recent years that I have really started to talk to my children about it. They became a bit curious about it all.

No point dwelling on the past over much, tomorrow is the big day, not yesterday. :-)

Take it easy.

SD