Brian Gray was stolen from his family and spent more than a decade at a Rockhampton orphanage. His account of humiliating punishments and lies about his identity will be one of many at Queensland's truth inquiry, which has started in Brisbane. A warning, some details in this story may be distressing.
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00:00Remember, protect yourself at all times.
00:04Uncle Brian learnt early to fight for himself.
00:08Ever since I left the orphanage at the age of 15, I think, my life just went downward
00:14spiral, you know, because I didn't have any family or anything.
00:17Stolen at age four, Uncle Brian spent more than a decade at St George's Home, a central
00:23Queensland orphanage run by the Anglican Church, now closed.
00:28Shameful punishments where, you know, like talking in the bedrooms at night, you'd be
00:34all lined up and marched one by one down to the toilet and get your head flushed in there.
00:40It's quite traumatising actually.
00:42The Anglican Diocese of Rockhampton told the ABC the actions are unacceptable, no matter
00:48the time.
00:49It's this truth Uncle Brian plans to share with Queensland's Truth and Healing Inquiry
00:54starting today, here in Brisbane.
00:59The hearings are part of the Queensland Government's Path to Treaty Act.
01:04A focus on reconciliation and a focus on healing.
01:08And those are really strong foundations which the inquiry will continue to achieve over
01:12the next three years.
01:13But there are fears if the LNP win next month's state election, it may not make it that far.
01:20So you still intend to repeal treaty laws?
01:22Yes.
01:23Yes.
01:24Uncle Brian Gray says yanking the inquiry would be a kick in the guts.
01:28Unless you've got a safe environment and a platform to speak and have a voice, you know,
01:37how can you be healed?
01:40There's a bible phrase, the truth will set you free.
01:43But Uncle Brian says it'll disturb you first.
01:47I'm starting to win a few rounds, you know what I mean?
01:51And make peace with myself.
01:53Witness statements to the inquiry will begin on Wednesday.