Tony Calgaret (Episode #2)

Tony Calgaret was taken from his family at such a young age, he began his life thinking he was white.

Growing up in Roelands and Mogumber Missions, it wasn’t until Tony’s mother showed him a mirror that he realised he was Aboriginal. And that’s when he tried to scrub the black out of his skin.

In 1941, the Roelands Native Mission Farm became a home for “part-Aboriginal” children under the age of 8. It was located 160km south of Perth. Mogumber on the other hand, run by the Methodist Overseas Mission at Moore River, was 130km north of Perth. Tony Calgaret stayed in both.

During this conversation with Tony Hansen, he talks about the decaying food and the violence of his youth, and how this trauma filtered down through the generations.

Yarns with Stolen Mob is produced with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.

Listeners are advised that Stolen Generations testimonies about their forced removal as children from family, and their confinement in institutions, is distressing. If you are feeling worried or no good please call the 13YARN crisis support line to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Supporter, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 13 92 76 or visit 13Yarn.org.au for more.