I WRITE with reference to recent criticism of Nudgee Orphanage.
Today I attended the funeral of a Catholic nun, Sr Germana, whom I met through Nudgee Orphanage.
During the 1950s and ’60s, my family and I were fairly frequent visitors to that institution.
With the State Government Children’s Department’s approval, many boys spent their school holidays in our home.
In the big Nudgee Orphanage complex there was a separate building called St Roch’s where babies and preschool children were cared for.
Sr Germana was in charge of the babies (who averaged 30 in number) and a Sr Campion cared for the toddlers.
I always admired the calm, caring and dignified manner in which I witnessed these good women carrying out their duties.
I have had a life-long association with a man who arrived at Nudgee as a baby and spent his entire childhood there.
He has never complained about the treatment or conditions at Nudgee.
On the contrary, he appreciated very much the care he was given there.
He later invited Srs Germana and Campion to his wedding, such was the high esteem in which he held them.
I am proud to say he has grown into a well-adjusted and educated family man.
I applaud Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology to the children who did genuinely suffer in certain institutions.
However, there will be many for whom Nudgee Orphanage ensured their survival, not their ruin.
BILL HANLEY
Morningside, Qld
