“All our footprints are all around St Mary’s, that was our home, and all our footprints are still trying to lead us back to it”

Ronda Ross

Daniel Forrester, Ronda Ross and Eileen Moseley in front of the St Mary's Chapel
Daniel Forrester, Ronda Ross and Eileen Moseley in front of the St Mary’s Chapel (source: ABC)

Media Coverage

News: ABC News, Alice Springs News, Letter to the Alice Springs News

Radio: The World Today (ABC), Drive (ABC)

TV: ABC News


Public Statements

Rev Canon A/Prof Glenn Loughrey, Chair of NATSIAC (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council)

Terry Cleary, Former Executive Manager with Anglicare NT

Mark J Smith, Chair of the St Francis House project, and grandson of Father Percy McD Smith, founding rector of the Anglican Church in Alice Springs


Members of the Stolen Generation that grew up at the St Mary’s Hostel in Alice Springs have long sought ongoing connection to the only home they knew and are distressed that the Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory has placed the property on the market (expressions of interest closed on December 19, 2022) without consulting them and without any legal protections against complete redevelopment.

They have asked Bishop Greg Anderson for a portion of the land for remembrance, healing and for the sake of future generations and are urgently seeking support for this request.


REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

Please consider

(1) sharing this story

(2) offering public support (on social media or by commenting on the Alice Springs News reporting or in any other way)

(3) writing in support of the Group to:

The Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory

and cc the Group

If you can assist in any other way we would be very grateful to hear from you.