Anthony Brennan interviewed by Christine Choo for the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 5814292
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Brennan, Anthony, 1939-, interviewee
- Online Access:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2012
- 5 sound files (ca. 432 min.)
- Series:
- Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project.
- Technical Details:
- Mode of access: Online.
- Summary:
-
Anthony Brennan speaks of his family and background, English-Irish ancestry; mother's illness, migration to Australia; her inability to care for her children; Child Welfare Department; father, George Edward Brennan, WWI veteran; dysfunctional family life and poverty; eldest sister's silence on the family problems; elder sister and brother being put into care at Mercedes College and Castledare, Fremantle; death of one child; Anthony sent to St Vincent's Foundling Home, Sisters of Mercy; talks of the love and affection from the Nuns; sent to Christian Brothers at Castledare at age 6; treatment in Castledare; recalls religious practices; concerts; a family's unsuccessful attempt to adopt him after seeing him in a concert; attachment to this family; being traumatised by institutionalisation; his sister in St Joseph's Catholic Orphanage for Girls; in 1950 was transferred from Castledare to Clontarf; visit from sister at Clontarf; working in the dairy and life at Clontarf.
Anthony talks of the Indigenous boys at Clontarf, gangs, lack of medical treatment, escape of his brother Bill and his treatment on his return; how Bill went on to become an activist for justice while Anthony severed connection with the institution and his family for at least 20 years. On leaving Clontarf Anthony went to sister in Kalgoorlie. Anthony talks of his life in Kalgoorlie and Perth, difficulties in forming relationships with siblings, variety of jobs, low self esteem, gambling problems; lack of education; institutional life; moving on from isolation and loneliness; researches his family history; discovers the Brennan family did try and help; 20 years ago he reconnected with his family; talks about various family members; disclosure of information; feelings of rejection; Child Welfare Department; death of his brother Bill; retains his Catholic faith; expresses himself through music and song; strong interest in singing; participating in the Christian Brothers 'Towards Healing' process; attending the Apology ceremony in Perth; the construction of the Heritage Trail in conjunction with the Christian Brothers; ex-residents stories.
- Notes:
- Recorded on 7, 13, 21 and 28 February 2012 in South Perth, W.A.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (17 p.)
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Choo, Christine, interviewer
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project.
This collection contains 208 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
You may copy under some circumstances, for example you may copy a portion for research or study. Order a copy through Copies Direct to the extent allowed under fair dealing. Contact us for further information about copying.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2082 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2012
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Request this item
Request this item to view in the Library’s reading room.
Feedback
Similar items
- Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project [sound recording]
- John Walsh interviewed by Hamish Sewell in the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project [sound recording]
- Ivor Knight interviewed by Christine Choo in the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project [sound recording]
- Oliver Cosgrove interviewed by Christine Choo for the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project [sound recording]
- Denis Hayden interviewed by Criena Fitzgerald in the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project [sound recording]