From the Nominator

When a collection of Carrolup artworks came home to Nyungar country in 2013, a unique and precious resource was returned to Western Australia. Lost overseas for more than 60 years, the exquisite artworks by young children of the Stolen Generations offer a rare glimpse into the lived experiences of Aboriginal children during a dark chapter of our past, when racism and discrimination tore Indigenous families and culture apart. Stolen from their families, the children were kept at the Carrolup settlement as part of a brutal government policy of forced segregation and assimilation. This practice of removing lighter-skinned children from their parents was designed to breed out the Aboriginal population over time. 

In 2020, Curtin University initiated a fundraising campaign to create a permanent, accessible home for these artworks, a home that will become a centre for truth-telling, healing, and reconciliation in perpetuity. 

The Carrolup Centre will be open to the whole of Western Australia and its many visitors from across Australia and beyond, as well as employ virtual and other technologies to engage national and international audiences. Because the lessons of Carrolup will resonate with the experiences of many First Nations people around the world, the Centre will have an international reach.

Together with graduates, students, partners, and friends, in the first phase of the campaign (August-November 2020), we have raised $2.6 million from 675 donors. The current phase of major gift fundraising aims to bring in a further $12.4 million, with a number of proposals to organisations already submitted.

From the Judges

Although this project isn't yet complete, we were overwhelmed by the impact that this project will have not only on campus, but throughout their community and beyond. The stories are heartbreaking, but lead towards healing. The storytelling is done in an inclusive way, and does honor to this history. Although this project is specific to one region of the world, the approach is universal, and we encourage others to read the story. When the project is completed, we hope you will apply for additional CASE awards, and will share the story.