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Autobiography/Memoir

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Burnished: Burnside Life Stories: A collection of life accounts from residents of Burnside Children's Homes, Sydney

Kate Shayler

2015

Burnished: Burnside Life Stories is a collection of life accounts from residents of Burnside Children's Homes, Sydney, compiled by Kate Shayler, author of 'The Long Way Home' and 'A Tuesday Thing'. When Kate released 'The Long Way Home', her own story of childhood at Burnside, she was overwhelmed by the response and found herself wishing that other homes kids could have that healing experience too. As Kate gave talks on her book, she was asked questions such as 'Why did you have to go to a home?' and 'What happened to you when you left the home?' Eventually, Kate advertised for people who were willing to share their stories, and the result is 'Burnished: Burnside Life Stories'.Burnished was nominated for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards, the Colin Roderick Prize and the NSW Premier's Literary Awards in 2012.

Children and young people in social care, and those who have left, are often subject to stigmatisation and discrimination. Being stigmatised and discriminated against can impact negatively on mental health and wellbeing not only during the care experience but often for many years after too. The project aims to contribute towards changing community attitudes towards care experienced people as a group. See glossary HERE


Website set up with support from The Welland Trust 

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