Summary
Highlights
Jack emphasizes that his show, 'Jack Charles versus the Crown,' and the documentary 'Bastardy' have brought immeasurable healing to others. He recounts receiving a touching letter from a 16-year-old girl in Queensland who saw 'Bastardy' and was on her way to a methadone clinic, highlighting the profound impact of his story. He concludes by stating that accepting one's Aboriginality leads to standing taller, prouder, and on solid ground.
Uncle Jack Charles, born in 1943, recounts being stolen from Royal Women's Hospital and raised in a Box Hill institution. He describes the sexual abuse and unusual punishments, and how the program aimed to dissuade him, the only registered Aboriginal child, from his Aboriginality. This led him to feel like a 'lost child' for many years and make poor life choices, including drug use.
A pivotal moment in his healing process was participating in the Mara Marley program. Years later, through the Koori Heritage Trust, he reconnected with his community, often referred to as 'his mob,' which allowed him to stand proudly in his Aboriginal identity. He reflects on his persistent efforts to discover his heritage.
Just before leaving the institution, Jack met other Aboriginal children, the Edwards brothers, including Kutchie Edwards. He specifically remembers asking Arthur, another boy with the surname Charles, if they could be brothers. Years later, he discovered that Arthur was indeed his brother, and the Edwards sisters were his sisters, while the Kutchie Edwards brothers were his mother's sister's children.