Letter to the Editor: Change the name of the Beryl Grant community centre to the Bessy Flowers Centre

The WA parliamentary inquiry into past adoption practices is in full swing, with more than 140 public testimonies submitted.

The forced adoption era is an often-unrecognised, deeply uncomfortable period in our history, where more than 21,000 West Australian families had their newborns illegally removed by the State simply because our parents were not married.

In Albany, we have a wonderful community centre that is unfortunately named after one of the State’s most prolific facilitators of forced adoption, Beryl Grant, the former Matron of Perth’s Ngala Mothercraft Home.

For 20 years, Grant directly facilitated thousands of newborn adoptions from their mothers while leader of this institution.

Her name is mentioned throughout the submissions to the inquiry.

Every time I drive past the road sign for the Beryl Grant community centre on South Coast Highway in Albany, I feel instantly nauseous at the sight of her name and knowing the damage she has done to so many West Australians and their families, including mine.

Having named a building after such a person is harmful to the region’s survivors of forced adoption.

Perhaps the community centre could be renamed to honour the important legacy of Menang woman Bessy Flowers, a talented musician, and educator who championed the human rights of her community.

Jennifer McRae, Albany

Letters to the editor must contain the author’s full name, address and daytime contact number. Letters may be edited for space, clarity or legal reasons. Email news@albanyadvertiser.com or post to PO Box 5168 Albany, WA, 6332.