Betsey Ashdown interviewed by Lesley Jenkins in the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 5333701
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Ashdown, Betsey, 1932-, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research use; written permission is required for personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2011 June 8
- 2 sound files (ca. 155 min.)
- Series:
- Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project.
- Summary:
-
Betsey Ashdown discusses her early years spent on the family property in Wulkuraka, Qld.; her parents and siblings; happy memories of early family life; being placed in an orphanage after her mother's death; not receiving mail whilst in the orphanage; feelings of guilt and abandonment; being placed in Child Welfare Home, Sandgate; moving to Killarney in 1942 and living there until 1946; her religious beliefs; being placed in W.R. Black Home for Girls; her memories of W.R. Black; punishments and abuse; domestic chores and regimentation; meals and food; the number of children; washing and privacy; haircuts; apologising and 'sucking up' to staff; the roles of staff; the grounds and the Brisbane River; the behaviour of staff; the lack of toys and play; Christmas; her memories of being ill and in hospital; her education; runaways; coping strategies; the children helping each other; the lack of photos taken.
Ashdown discusses leaving W.R. Black; receiving an RSL bursary which enabled her to undertake High School and other education; getting her first job typing and writing shorthand; her love of books; memories of reading documents about her childhood experiences and treatment in care; the Forde Inquiry; the processes and outcomes of the Forde Inquiry; donating a book to the National Library of Australia; making contact with others since the Forde Inquiry; the Apology; meeting her boyfriend; her experiences in regard to friendships, relationships and marriage; raising her own children; making contact with relatives; the immediate and ongoing psychological effects of her experiences in care; faith and religion; seeking reparations and receiving compensation; the importance of having her own home; hopes and plans for the future; writing her autobiography.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on 8 June 2011 in Eagleby, Qld.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (5. p.) available.
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Jenkins, Lesley, 1955-, interviewer
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project.
This collection contains 208 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2081 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2011
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.
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