Christine Harms is performing at the National Museum of Australia as part of "Music to Remember", on 16 November, 2011. This concert has been scheduled to acknowledge the second anniversary of the National Apology to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants. Hear her latest recording of her original song "Give it Up", dedicated to Al 'Crow' Fletcher, the author of "Brutal: Surviving Westbrook Boys Home".
Category: music
Strawberry Fields Forever
'Living is easy with eyes closed', so wrote John Lennon in the song 'Strawberry Fields Forever', of his childhood experiences playing in the grounds of the Strawberry Field Salvation Army Children's Home, Liverpool.
Momma
Singer/songwriter Leanne Hawkins who spent time in St Michael's, in Bathurst. Here you can view her latest video clip for her song 'Momma'.
‘A Call for Justice’
Michelle Greaves shares 'A Call for Justice', a song recorded by her twin brother, Mark Torr. It's dedicated to all those who spent time in Children's Homes and Institutions. Michelle and Mark were sent to Darling Babies Home, Victoria, at the age of two and then, three years later, to Nunawading Cottage, St John's Home for Boys and Girls.
‘Sleep Well Tonight’
Darren Sugars sings 'Sleep Well Tonight', an original track which he says is 'inspired by the personal narratives of two brave Forgotten Australians who are dear to him'.
On eagle’s wings
Singer/songwriter Christine Harms was admitted to Nazareth House, Wynnum, Queensland at the age of three and left when she was 13. Her original song "On Eagle's Wings", recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, is a reflection on her experiences in the Home.
Memorial song
Alan Bowles, who grew up in a Salvation Army Home, shares the song he wrote and performed at the unveiling of the Victorian memorial to Forgotten Australians, in Melbourne on 25 October 2010.
‘This is to Mother You’
Sinead O'Connor's "This is to Mother You" was played at the Healing Service and Memorial Dedication to the Forgotten Australians of NSW, 19 September 2009.
Dreary old world
Australian country singer, Harold "Buddy" Williams (1918 - 1986) was born in Sydney and was placed in Glebe Point Orphanage. He tried to escape many times and was eventually fostered out to a farming family in Dorrigo, NSW. It soon became apparent to him that the foster care arrangement was a means for the family to secure his unpaid labour. At the age of 15, Buddy ran away from his foster family and took up a series of jobs including busking along the north coast of NSW. When he later arrived in Sydney, he successfully auditioned for EMI and secured a recording contract.
Spirit of Australia
This is a song by Graham Evans, a resident of St Michael’s Home, Baulkham Hills, 1958 to 1962 and St Vincent’s Boys Home, Westmead, 1962 to 1966.
