When I first attended the Commission in Doomadgee, I was angry. I was frustrated at the shame that I felt in having to see the Commissioners. I didn’t want to listen at first to what they had to say about what poor school attendance would do to, and mean to, my kids. I didn’t want to take any responsibility and I didn’t want to share my feelings, or ask for help to address my problems.
I didn’t think school was important, so it never mattered to me that my kids were not going to school. After my first conference with the FRC Commissioners, my kids’ school attendance did not change. I was asked to come back for more conferences, and I began to realise, after talking with the Commissioners, that it was important to have my kids attend school regularly. I started to feel more comfortable with the Commissioners. I could see and hear that they were listening to me, and that they cared about the welfare of my kids, and for my welfare as well. I have received a lot of support and help from the FRC in Doomadgee.
I now understand that it was not just about getting my children to school that I was asked to attend the FRC, but there were other things that I had previously not thought about that I now see needed to be brought to my attention. Our family life is more balanced now and good things have been happening. I have seen improvements in my kids’ health and they are behaving better at school and at home. They talk to me more now, and I don’t allow them to pull the wool over my eyes anymore.
The Commissioners support me to talk with the school more often, and I feel more comfortable with my ability to support my kids with their reading and writing. I am thankful the Commissioners believed that I could change for the better. If it weren’t for the Commissioners, my kids might still be at home and not getting an education. There are far more opportunities available to them now, like boarding school in the future, and a career. They are staying out of trouble, and they feel better about themselves too. It makes the journey with the Commission all worthwhile. I owe a great deal of thanks to the Commissioners for the improved life we all now share.
