The Benevolent Society has helped an Aboriginal boy from the Gumbaynggir nation on the Mid-North Coast to find his birth family and reconnect with his culture after years of separation.

Oliver* is a 12-year-old boy who has been living in a stable, happy placement with a foster family for more than seven years. Unfortunately, he was unable to continue living with his birth family because of severe domestic violence and drug use.

Oliver’s mother and other members of her family found they were unable to give him the care and protection he needed. Oliver’s father was incarcerated, and members of his paternal family couldn’t be located, so a safe, caring foster home was found for Oliver.

Over the past seven years Oliver has had no contact with his birth family. In April last year, The Benevolent Society initiated a family finding project to try and locate members of Oliver’s paternal family, to help him develop a sense of identity and connect with his Aboriginal culture.

We have now successfully located more than 20 of Oliver’s paternal family members, including four of his siblings. His family has expressed great interest in supporting and getting to know him.

“I thought I was the only one,” he said, and immediately asked if he could tell his friends.

When Oliver was told that he had a sister, his eyes lit up with joy and no one could wipe the smile off his face. “I thought I was the only one,” he said, and immediately asked if he could tell his friends.

Oliver has now met several members of his family, including one of his uncles and several cousins. He has been given photos of his family members, including one of his father, who is now deceased. He now has regular Skype contact with his sister, who is also living with a caring foster family.

Oliver’s sense of identity and culture has increased dramatically now that we have been able to support him to reconnect with his family and his nation. He will have ongoing contact with his family, and there are plans for him to meet up with his sister soon.

*Names and images have been changed to protect members of the family