I have a family friend who was sexually abused as a child at Eden Park Boys Home, run by the Salvation Army.
I used to look forward to his visits, he was such a character he made me laugh more than many people, with his stories. That was over 15 years ago.
My mother used to donate to the Salvation Army, until she saw the way they treated our friend Graham Rundle. For ten years he went through the court system and it brought back all the horrors of his childhood. He changed. He went through hell again, but it was important for him to be heard. Last year William Ellis, 76, was found guilty by a Supreme Court of six counts of indecent assault and seven counts of buggery. He molested boys at Eden Park between 1960 and 1971. Justice Michael David sentenced Ellis to 16 years in gaol with a non-parole period of 12 years.
Graham has written an account of his experience that really has to be published. It is written from the point of view of and in the voice of the child experiencing the abuse and he doesn’t hold back. At the same time he has also included some wonderful acts of kindness and even some very funny incidents that the boys were involved in.
It is really important to publish Graham’s book. It is not only a researched as well as a personal account but it is a bloody riveting read. It was used as evidence in two trials and all has been in the public domain, so there are no legal issues involved in publishing it. All it needs is a brave mainstream publisher willing to expose the Salvos, publish and promote Graham’s book. Those who have read it say that they can’t put it down. It’s gripping.
I would like to help to expose what went on and how it felt for the child experiencing it, how they try to make sense of their world and cope (or not) with what is happening to them. There are accompanying photographs and other ephemera as well.
“44” sheds light on the damage done to vulnerable children and shows first-hand how children are affected by cruelty and abuse. There are times when it is difficult to believe that human beings can actually be capable of the depths of depravity shown in this narrative. It also captures the extraordinary resilience that some children possess. Few readers would read this story and remain unmoved.
“Stripped of my name, identity and belongings I was told I would now be known in the home as ‘44’. All the boys were referred to by number. From day one, the abuse began and I found I was in Hell on Earth.”
“As an ‘inmate’ of Eden Park Boys’ Home, I am eminently qualified to write about the experiences of the boys and in particular my own personal experience. I was in the care of this institution for eight years. I have taken great care not to identify the boys (now men) whose stories intertwine with mine in this true story. Some of them have since died, many live in distressed circumstances.
“This accurate portrayal of Eden Park Boys Home covers the years from 1960 until 1968. The narrative describes violent attacks and assaults as seen through the eyes of a boy from the age of seven to fifteen. The descriptions are not gratuitous but accurately describe the situation in the home along with all the accompanying terror and emotion. The narrative broadens to portray visits to my Nana and The Coorong, as well as the serious difficulties encountered at high school, and my eventual escape from the home to join the circus. This story has humour, drama, suspense, tension and violence. It demonstrates and celebrates the survival of the human spirit and the qualities of perseverance, determination, imagination, humour, love and, most importantly, hope.
“It is essential for people to know how children are affected, so that people like Father Lucas and the Archbishop can no longer say they didn’t know there was such a thing. Now that victims from long ago have come forward to tell how they have been continually affected from the time of the abuse to the present day (even those in their eighties and nineties) there can never be any excuse ever again with platitudes like: ‘Children get over things;’ ‘we didn’t know it was happening;’ ‘we didn’t know such a thing existed,’ etc… etc…
“How we stop them from bullying the victims in the courts when they do seek redress, though, is another big question.”
Lawlink – Graham’s civil trial and appeal:
Justice Mullighan Inquiry into Children in State Care in South Australia:
http://www.sa.gov.au/subject/Crime%2C+justice+and+the+law/Mullighan+Inquiry/Children+in+State+Care
Ryan Carlisle Thomas (Lawyers). Litigation has failed the victims of institutional abuse (mentions Graham’s case):
http://www.rct-law.com.au/blog/litigation-has-failed-the-victims-of-institutional-abuse.html
Care Leavers of Australian Network:
http://www.clan.org.au/news_details.php?newsID=499
The Australian:
ABC Online News:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-16/we-were-scum-boys-home-horror-recalled/1143634
Adelaide Now:
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/orphan-rapist-gets-16-years/story-fna7dq6e-1225710473038
Heather
August 3, 2012
Let’s hope it gets published so we all know the truth. I’d like to read that story.
Sharon
August 15, 2012
please join the petition to campaign for a Royal Commission into sexual abuse in all religious institutions. Please also pass the word to encourage others to sign the petition.
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/labor-flags-support-for-child-sex-inquiry/2649596.aspx?storypage=0
roy
September 21, 2012
Frances Jones
Your a good sort in spirt,soul and looks your a breath of fresh spring air wee lamb
Sharon
October 9, 2012
public Forum for the need for a Royal Commission into sexual abuse. Organised by David MLC and Joanne McCarthy. Please give this forum your support.
http://davidshoebridge.org.au/2012/10/03/event-public-forum-the-need-for-a-royal-commission-into-sexual-abuse-2/
jac0b.banvard@gmail.com
October 10, 2012
If this is published should be a good read. For starters, the comment ‘All the boys were referred to by number’ is false. As a former resident of Eden Park I was never referred to as a number, I was always referred to by my real or nick name, never by a number. I wonder how much more b.s. is in Grahams writings…
Graham
October 11, 2012
I am happy for Mr Banvard that he obviously had a better time at Eden Park than I and many others did. I stand by everything I have said or written. You will note that in the trial and the subsequent appeal that I was not accused in any way of lying or misleading, although the same can’t be said of Salvation Army lawyers (please see transcripts of the trial and Appeal). In the South Australian criminal trial the manuscript was admitted as evidence, and again was proven to be right. The perpetrator was found guilty on all my charges. I was believed by four Supreme Court judges in NSW; as well as a Judge and Jury in South Australia. I am happy with the results.
Thank you, Heather, for your kind comment.
Graham Rundle
Ian Davidson
February 23, 2013
I was in that hell on earth for 6 months in i think 1974 and the numbers were called a clothes change number in my time there under that kop sucker yes at 46 can still remember like yesterday that place and all the abusers.I went through the duncan basheer class action so probs cant say to much but who cares gave me 11k so having the number 6 went and bought an xr6 falcon.I cried reading this no i was not sexually abused just pysical but fucken angers me that you get fuckwits like jason giving shit too your book,maybe you didnt get screwed up the ass so it makes it o.k. to pick on something so bullshit aarg.GO GRAHAM we do make it.Ive been married 18 years,have 5 kids and am a schoolbus driver but still think every day and the only down point in my life spending 20 years as a security and not seeing an abuser of all us boys in my job.How is mathew kops justice going?.I finally verify i have been there by naming a building/buildings.a wing,b wing,c wing,the old boot shed and the playhall which the library adjoins its all still there minus the bootshed and the SCREAMS.
Leonie Sheedy
April 15, 2013
Thank you for writing about Graham Rundle he does deserve to have his story published for all Australians to understand the damage done to vulnerable children in orphanages and childrens Homes
We had noone to tell or to turn to in those cold regimented overcrowded loveless and abusive Homes
Grahams wife Sharon needs our thanks and appreciation
She has been the silent supportive voiice behind Graham
Best wishes to them both and i look forward to putting your book one day on the shelves of CLAN soon
Hooroo
Leonie Sheedy
Sharon
April 15, 2013
Thanks, Leonie. You are a hero in my book for the many years you have put into starting and growing CLAN. So much effort that you have put into educating politicians and relevant bureaucrats. So much time and energy spent helping others. You have really made a difference. I know that you have listened to many, many horrific stories and have helped a great many people. Who will ever forget Vera? Her story broke my heart, too.
For those who have been in institutions as children, CLAN offers support and friendship.
Care Leavers of Australian Network:
http://www.clan.org.au
Sharon
April 15, 2013
Thanks, Ian, for your comments. I’m really sorry to hear that you had a rough time there, too. Good on you for doing so well and proving them wrong. It will never go away but you are right — you made it in spite of them.
Jacob Banvard
May 1, 2013
Hi Ian. I am sad to read your comments, and I am in no way ‘giving shit’ to Grahams book. My time at Eden Park did overlap with Graham’s, and I remember Graham and ‘Chook’ very well. Yes, I was one of the lucky ones. I was not a state ward for starters, therefore I was not sexually abused by an officer, although one did try. A couple of boys had a go, but I dealt with them myself. Like all the kids, I received my fair share of corporal punishment, and even now at 59 years of age I still wake up at nights sweating convinced that I am in the lockup. D. H. kicked me the small of back one day and I still carry that injury today. So, did I have an easy time…my answer is not an easy time but not as bad as some. I have never married, never had children and find it impossible to have a close relationship with another human being. One of the scars I have from Eden Park is that I don’t trust anyone.
My concern is the amount of time that has passed since these events, and people’s correct recollection of them. As an example, I recently read a boys re-telling of how he was raped by another boy above the dairy building. The dairy building was (and still is) a single level building with a flimsy iron roof, so a boy claiming he was raped above the dairy is simply not true, the facts don’t support it. This is just one of several examples I could quote. What is said, or written, needs to be factual, not fantasy that someone has convinced themselves is factual over an extended period of time.
Does Grahams book need to be published, absolutely no question about it. And I would love to read it as Graham was in Eden Park during a particularly harsh period in its history. This needs to be, and must be, on public record.
Regards, Jacob.
Graham
May 11, 2013
Hi Jacob
I read your comment to Ian and found it interesting. About the boy’s account of the rape above the dairy, I think he meant above the library. As you would know a bad place for victims. As you say, it needs to be factual but I don’t agree with the word fantasy, that’s not fair. I’m happy for you or anyone to comment. My account has been through the South Australian criminal trial and couldn’t be pulled apart. The Salvation Army also had a copy for years and couldn’t find anything to come back with. People need to know about the daily running of the home and the disgraceful way it was run.
Keep going, Jacob, you have already beaten them by having the courage to put yourself out there and to speak up.
Graham 44