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Autobiography/Memoir

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Not Forgotten

Samilya Bjelic

2021

Not Forgotten: They called me Number 10 at Neekol Orphanage is the story of Samilya Bjelic who in 1954 was left by her recent migrant parents at St Joseph's Neerkol orphanage, near Rockhampton, Queensland.

The book was written with the help of Anne Moorhouse, a psychologist.

Samilya was at the orphanage - well known now as a place where nuns regularly inflicted brutal punishments on children - from age 2 for 8 years. She was then returned to her mother where the trauma continued.

Samilya became friends with Anne and began recounting her story. By telling Samilya's story in Not Forgotten, Anne says she is speaking for others too who have felt silenced by horrific experiences.

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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