🤝 Wamba Wamba Services

Services for Aboriginal people in Wamba Wemba country — Swan Hill & Mallee, Victoria

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📋 stolen-generations Information

Stolen Generations — support and next steps

For: If you or your family were affected by past policies

📞 1800 641 072

Information and support for Aboriginal people and families affected by past forced removal policies.

Stolen Generations — support and next steps

This guide is for Aboriginal people whose families were affected by the forced removal policies that existed in Australia — particularly Victoria — from the early 1900s through to the 1970s. These policies resulted in many Aboriginal children being taken from their families and placed in institutions, foster care, or with non-Aboriginal families.

If this is your family history, you are not alone. This affects mob all over Australia. There is support available.

Step 1: Understand what the Stolen Generations means

Between approximately 1910 and 1970, Aboriginal children in Victoria and across Australia were taken from their families by government authorities. This was done under various laws that gave the government power to remove children based on their race.

These removals caused deep trauma — to individuals, families, and entire communities. The effects are still felt today — they are intergenerational.

Acknowledging this history is not about assigning blame to individuals today. It’s about understanding what has happened and getting the support you and your family deserve.

Step 2: Connect with Link-Up Victoria — 1800 641 072

Link-Up Victoria is a specialist Aboriginal service that supports Stolen Generations members and their families. They can help with:

Call 1800 641 072 and ask for Link-Up Victoria.

Step 3: VACCHO Stolen Generations Unit

VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) has a dedicated Stolen Generations unit. They can:

Call VACCHO on (03) 9603 9380 and ask for the Stolen Generations unit, or call VALS on 1800 641 072 who can refer you.

Step 4: Access your records

You have the right to access your own records from government archives. This includes child welfare records, institutional records, and any other documentation about your family.

To access records:

Getting your records can be an important part of understanding your family’s story. It can also be emotionally difficult — consider having a support person with you when you go through records.

Step 5: Counselling and mental health support

The trauma of the Stolen Generations is real and ongoing. MDAS and ACCHOs across Victoria provide culturally safe mental health support. In the Mallee region:

VACCHO and Link-Up can also help refer you to specialist trauma counselling services.

Step 6: Reparations and compensation

There are some avenues for reparation for those directly affected:

VALS (1800 641 072) can advise you on whether you may be eligible for any compensation or reparation. Don’t sign anything from a government department without getting legal advice first.

Step 7: It’s not just about you — it’s intergenerational

Stolen Generations trauma affects not only those who were directly removed, but their children and grandchildren. Support services are available for families — not just individuals. If you’re a family member of someone affected, you can access support too.

Key numbers

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