SAVE Tuart Place

The Campaign to Save Tuart Place

Campaign Update: 9 November 2022

In a heartening new development on 4th November 2022, representatives of Tuart Place met with Edmund Rice Community Services Ltd (ERCS) to negotiate ongoing tenancy at 24 High Street, Fremantle.  ERCS has stepped forward as the registered proprietor of the property.

ERCS acknowledged the vital work carried out by Tuart Place, and the importance of continuing to offer support to survivors of institutional abuse in a place that is accessible, familiar, and safe.

Tuart Place and ERCS are working together to draft a set of principles that includes a two-year lease on the existing premises, with opportunities to explore longer term lease arrangements or purchase of the property.

While the details are yet to be finalised, the tenor of negotiations with ERCS gives us confidence that a final agreement satisfactory to both Tuart Place and ERCS will be signed, ensuring that the good work of Tuart Place at 24 High Street will continue.

We would like to thank ERCS for their offer to work collaboratively with Tuart Place to secure a beneficial outcome.

We also thank the many participants, colleagues, board members, staff, and community members who supported the Save Tuart Place campaign.  We extend special thanks to our three Patrons – Senator Dean Smith, former Senator Rachel Siewert, and respected Noongar Elder Dr Robert Isaacs OAM – along with prominent supporters Hon Simone McGurk MLA, Hon Dave Kelly MLA, Hon Katrina Stratton MLA, and Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge.

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Campaign Update: 31 October 2022

POWERFUL ADVOCACY BY DEAN SMITH IN THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

Tuart Place Patron Senator Dean Smith delivered an incredibly powerful speech in support of Tuart Place in the Australian Senate on Thursday 27th October.  Dean highlighted the importance of 24 High Street as a place of comfort and security to many older care leavers, and said: “I especially call upon the Christian Brothers to show greater compassion and greater charity.”

Now is not the time to remove a safe haven from this community of people – particularly as they are getting older and need more care than ever.

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Campaign Update: 19 October 2022

HUGE TURNOUT AT RALLY TO SAVE TUART PLACE

Thanks to everyone who attended the Save Tuart Place rally on 12 October.  More than 120 people gathered outside 24 High Street in a huge show of community and political support for survivors of institutional trauma who want their service to stay in its present location.

Two of our speakers – Dale Lynch and John Ryall – are survivors of abuse in Christian Brothers institutions, and members of our Board of Governance.  Thank you Dale and John for so generously and powerfully sharing your traumatic experiences to support other survivors.

Following a heartfelt Welcome to Country by Betty Garlett, we heard compelling speeches by parliamentarians Hon Simone McGurk MLA, Hon Dave Kelly MLA, and Senator Dean Smith, Liberal Senator for WA, who told the crowd the proposed eviction lacked justice and morality.  The event was expertly MCed by Dr Katrina Stratton MLA, a former Board member, who has personal family connections to the experience of out-of-home care.

Two of our Patrons, Noongar Elder Dr Robert Isaacs OAM and former Greens Senator Rachel Siewert were unable to attend the Rally, but have written powerful letters to the Christian Brothers advocating on our behalf.  We thank Rachel and Robert for their unfailing support.

Huge thanks to the many survivors, their supporters and community agencies who have written letters and emails in support of Tuart Place remaining at 24 High Street – a place that has become a second Home to hundreds of survivors over the last 15 years.

And a final thank you to Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge for attending the rally and posting the photo above with a message of support on her Facebook page.

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Background:

Supporters are rallying to save Tuart Place, which is under threat of eviction from 24 High Street, Fremantle.   Over the last 15 years, this place has become a second ‘Home’ to many people who, as children, were taken away from family homes and placed in institutions and foster care.

The people of Tuart Place and their supporters are outraged by the proposed eviction and are protesting this injustice. Continuous connection to place and country is important!

An ABC TV news story on Tuart Place was aired on 28 September 2022, and is also available online at:  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-28/sexual-abuse-survivors-face-eviction-from-tuart-place/101458550

If you would like to stay informed about the campaign to Save Tuart Place, or lend your support, use the Contact Form opposite to subscribe for updates. You can also find out more on the Tuart Place Facebook page.

Please note: Although we have a battle on our hands, please be assured that all Tuart Place services continue to operate as usual, including assistance with National Redress Scheme applications; Aged Care Navigator support; counselling and support groups; as well as social activities and reunions.  The Drop-in Centre is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.