By Paul Weston
The Sunday Mail [Australia]
March 4, 2006
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,18348495%255E2765,00.html
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| PAINFUL MEMORIES: |
THIS is the face of the matron who flogged helpless young orphans at a notorious former children's home.
More than 50 years after it was taken, this photograph of Matron Martin still strikes terror in the orphans now suing the Anglican Church in what their lawyers believe could become Australia's biggest child abuse case.
One of those orphans, former Gold Coast photographer Richard "Tommy" Campion, 58, told The Sunday Mail: "She is the most evil and frightening person I've ever met in my life.
"If you heard the words 'Matron wants to see you', you knew you were in for a flogging.
"Just seeing her photo, that look on her face, took my breath away. It left me angry and emotional."
Mr Campion came across a copy of the photograph during his campaign to locate other orphans who had been abused while in the care of the home.
He said the picture had been "conveniently staged" so the children appeared presentable for a visit by "important people" to the North Coast Children's Home, in Lismore, northern New South Wales, on December 31, 1954.
After these "important visits" by married couples or families hoping to adopt or foster a child, or even politicians wanting to make a donation, the clean sheets were returned to cupboards and fresh flowers taken away.
"Look at our hair - it looks like we have been to a hair salon in Queen St. We were always grubby-faced, unruly and unwashed. Here we all look like child models straight out of an after-Christmas sale catalogue," Mr Campion said.
In November, The Sunday Mail revealed Mr Campion was among more than 90 orphans taking legal action against the church for "physical, verbal, emotional and sexual abuse" at the hands of staff, clergymen and a matron at the home.
Brisbane solicitor Simon Harrison confirmed Matron Martin, who is deceased, was the matron responsible for almost unimaginable instances of violent child abuse.
"I've spoken to more than 90 former orphans. The abuse spanned 35 years," Mr Harrison said.
"Apart from the allegations of sexual and psychological assault, we have been told of beatings with pony whips and double leather straps, branches of trees which the children had to select themselves, broom handles and electric cords.
"Most of the assaults were in front of other kids. If the assault was going to be a particularly bad one, the kids were made to sit outside the room and hear the screams.
"I've been told by clients they still hear those screams now."
Mr Harrison said he believed the complaints by the former orphans amounted to the most sustained pattern of institutionalised child abuse ever in Australia.
The Anglican Diocese of Grafton general manager, the Reverend Pat Comben, said he was stunned by the extent of the brief being prepared by lawyers acting for former orphans.
He said the church had an extensive system to investigate and provide support for victims.
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