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The men who survived Kinchela Boys Home

Dec 14, 2025 •

This week, devastating figures were released that show the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care.

It’s damning evidence that not enough has changed since the Stolen Generations.

Last year, we published a story about the long shadow cast by a policy of child removal, centred on the notorious Kinchela Boys Home in NSW.

It’s a place that holds painful memories for the many survivors of the Stolen Generations who went through its doors.

Hundreds of of Indigenous boys were sent there, and subjected to torture, abuse and reprogramming, in order to assimilate them into white society.

Now, the survivors and their families want to take ownership of the site, to make it a place of healing for future generations.

Today, Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Ben Abbatangelo, on the enduring legacy of the Kinchela Boys Home.

This episode was originally published in October 2024.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

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The men who survived Kinchela Boys Home

1754 • Dec 14, 2025

The men who survived Kinchela Boys Home

This week, devastating figures were released that show the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care.

It’s damning evidence that not enough has changed since the Stolen Generations.

Last year, we published a story about the long shadow cast by a policy of child removal, centred on the notorious Kinchela Boys Home in NSW.

It’s a place that holds painful memories for the many survivors of the Stolen Generations who went through its doors.

Hundreds of of Indigenous boys were sent there, and subjected to torture, abuse and reprogramming, in order to assimilate them into white society.

Now, the survivors and their families want to take ownership of the site, to make it a place of healing for future generations.

Today, Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Ben Abbatangelo, on the enduring legacy of the Kinchela Boys Home.

This episode was originally published in October 2024.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

Guest: Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Ben Abbatangelo

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7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.

It’s made by Arielle Richards, Atticus Bastow, Chris Dengate, Daniel James, Ruby Jones, Sarah McVeigh, Travis Evans and Zoltan Fecso.

Our theme music is by Ned Beckley and Josh Hogan of Envelope Audio.





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1754: The men who survived Kinchela Boys Home