Goosey bumpy

I knew that today I absolutely had to complete my assignment for the on-line camera school. The brief was for blurred running water. We could go outdoors, or use a running tap.

Running water's at a bit of a premium in these parts right now, and it's even been as flat as a mill pond at the beach for the past 4 weeks.

But (there's always a "but") - I did know of a small fountain not too far away, that always running. It's an Aboriginal memorial, but I knew nothing of the history.

Here's where the goosey bumpy bit comes in. You drive into the car park, and the first thing you see is a woman sitting on a rock. Desolation is in every part of her being, she is beside herself with grief. And then you realise it's a bronze sculpture. It brings you up short, I tell you.

You walk in and go and have a look at the fountain. Again, the sculpture is so beautiful and so very sad. The water runs down like tears over the Aboriginal faces. (You'll get to see this image quite soon, I promise)

So here's the back story:

Colebrook Home began with the United Aboriginal Mission in 1924 in Dunjiba (Oodnadatta), South Australia. Then in 1926 it was transferred to Quorn in the Flinders Ranges, with 12 children in the care of Sister Ruby Hyde and Sister Delia Rutter. In 1943 they moved to Eden Hills and stayed until 1952.

The succession of superintendents who followed the Sisters at Colebrook enforced a strict discipline. Many children were to suffer from this harsh regime. Having been removed from their families and land ties, because of the government's policy of assimilation, some were never to see their parents again. In 1972 the Department of Community Welfare took on the responsibility of caring for the children until Colebrook Home was closed. In 1973 it was finally razed.

Colebrook Reconciliation Park is now a memorial to these children and their families. Through the untiring efforts of the Colebrook Tji Tji Tjuta, the Blackwood Reconciliation Group, the Aboriginal Lands Trust, other groups and agencies, to remember the Aboriginal children of the "Stolen Generations", the "Fountain of Tears" and the "Grieving Mother" statue were established.

Sadness