20 August 2008
The authentic secret history of Kew Cottages is captured in a new book and DVD by Victoria University (VU) Research Fellow, Dr Corinne Manning. 'Bye-Bye Charlie: Stories from the Vanishing World of Kew Cottages' will be launched by Jenny Macklin, MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs at the Treetops Room, Melbourne Museum at 2.30pm on Saturday 23 August.
Media are welcome to attend
The book is based on interviews with 16 residents, as well as former employees, families, emergency service personnel, and volunteers with links to Melbourne's iconic institution for people with intellectual disability.
Corinne Manning said: "The residents described many extraordinary experiences - the day the gate separating the male and female division was left open; the meaning of 'Bye-Bye Charlie'; and their constant longing for families, with which many had little or no contact. While most of us tend to think of the residents as passive victims there were many who were able to overcome adversity and 'play the system'. Their stories are fascinating and I really wanted to put them at the heart of the book."
Manning chose the book's cover photograph from one that was in the admission file of Edward Rowe - the oldest resident interviewed.
She said: "As a baby Edward was abandoned in a North Fitzroy park. In 1925 at four years- old he was moved to Kew Cottages. His account had many highs and lows that corroborated and brought to life details recorded in the institution's archives."
'Bye-Bye Charlie' is part of a broader project to capture the history of Kew Cottages, which finally closed amidst public outcry in July 2008. A DVD accompanying the book features digital stories from interviews with the residents.
Sadly, Edward died in March but not before Manning was able to show him the front cover.
She said: "He was thrilled. The chance to share his story was extremely important to Edward, as it was to all the residents. At his funeral Edward's family played the DVD story in which he is featured to recognise a part of his life that had been hidden away for so long."
Dr Manning, who works at Footscray Park campus, is an oral historian. In 2008 she received a 3-year Research Fellowship from Victoria University where she is evaluating the perception of Australian peacekeeping in national and international contexts.
Dr Manning is available for interview.
Review copies are available on request from: Uthpala Gunethilake, Publicist UNSW Press,
Ph: (02) 9664 0902; Email: uthpala.g@unsw.edu.au
'Bye-Bye Charlie: Stories from the Vanishing World of Kew Cottages'
ISBN 9781921410109
Published by UNSW Press, Paperback, RRP $39.95
Andy Gash, Snr. Media Officer,
Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919 4950; mobile: 0411 255 900
