Page 24 - Luce 2016

College M emories

memories from the
50s & 60s

Bailey Barash and Virginia Burns

As visual media has risen in relation to print media, documentary film-makers have taken up a powerful role in raising
social awareness on key issues. Two JCH alumnae – Bailey Barash and Virginia Burns – are trail blazers in this regard.
Aboriginal Reconciliation came to an applications and lengthy negotiations
end in 2000, the local council adopted with a range of bodies including the
a policy of commitment to Aboriginal Public Records Office, Wurundjeri
Reconciliation. Council in Abbotsford, the City of
Whitehorse and ‘Connecting Home’.
The project that became ‘Nobody’s
Child’ arose from a workshop of the City Perhaps the high point of our activity
of Whitehorse Reconciliation Advisory was the reunion held over a weekend
Committee in 2009. As an executive in August 2011, with visits to the sites –
member of WFFR [Whitehorse Friends Allambie, Orana, Box Hill Boys’ Home
For Reconciliation] I was part of this and Tally Ho – where the interviewees
Artist Karen Lovett (left) with Virginia committee, and I chaired the sub- grew up. The struggles with identity of
Burns at an exhibition of Karen’s work committee charged with delivering the twin sisters, Karen and Sharyn Lovett
in 2015. project. Initially we thought it would who spent fourteen years at Allambie
Virginia (Sybil) Burns lived in residence be done with note books and a tape are movingly conveyed in the film. They
from 1956 to 1959. She originally recorder, but we soon realised that was have since found a new pathway towards
studied to be a teacher and later not the way to go. wholeness in the study and practice
qualified as a social worker. In this of art. Viewers will recognise among
article she shares with us the origins of a A professional documentary-maker, the interviewees Uncle Jack Charles,
remarkable short film, ‘Nobody’s Child’. John Foss of Angel Point Media, was actor, entertainer and Victorian Senior
‘Nobody’s Child’ is the title of a film ultimately engaged to shoot and edit Australian of the Year 2016.
based on interviews with five members most of the interviews. The most difficult
of the Stolen Generations who spent part in beginning the project was to The film is now available to the public
part of their formative years in children’s make contact with our interviewees and was shown in several schools during
homes in the Box Hill-Burwood area, and entice them out from behind their 2015.
within the City of Whitehorse in veil of anonymity. We had little success
Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. until we joined forces with ‘Connecting Nobody’s Child (DVD)
Home’, the Victorian Stolen Generations $20 inc. postage
Contrary to popular belief, the City of organisation based in Collingwood. Order: c/o WFFR, Box 248,
Whitehorse embraces a diverse ethnic P.O. Kerrimuir 3129
mix. After the national Council for Other tasks included funding or email: virginiab55@optusnet.com.au

Award-winning Executive Producer, generating medical The AIDS Chronicles – Here to Represent,
documentary and science-and-technology reports and have screened at film festivals around
film-maker, Bailey leading a team of journalists in award- the world.
Barash (Smith 1966) winning programming.
enjoyed a wonderful Bailey has been married to Donald Barash
year in residence at Bailey left CNN in 1999 to form bbarash for 42 years and has one son. She lives in
Janet Clarke Hall as productions, LLC. Her company produces Atlanta and looks forward to a return trip
a Fulbright Scholar videos and media for non-profits, to JCH and Australia in the near future.
in 1966-1967. social service agencies, community
Bailey Barash, 2015 She received her organisations and corporations. She also Bailey’s three major documentaries are
MSc. in Genetics from the University of produces independent films on issues viewable on www.snagfilms.com.
Melbourne in 1968. She considers her such as aging, public health, racism and Her other videos are viewable via
years in Australia a pivotal part of her social justice. youtube, vimeo, and other digital
life that forever shaped her world view. video websites.
On her return to the US, she worked in Winner of 2005 and 2007 CINE Golden
cancer research and social services before Eagle Awards for her independent
embarking on a career in television. documentaries Fried Chicken and Sweet
Potato Pie and 203 days, respectively,
She began as a part-time assistant at Bailey has also been awarded several
an Atlanta NBC affiliate in 1979 and journalism fellowships. These have
quickly moved on to CNN where she allowed her to study and teach journalism
was involved in the creation of the first and digital storytelling internationally.
24-hour news network in 1980. Over
her 19-year career at CNN she advanced Her productions, including the award-
from Production Assistant to Senior winning feature length documentary
Bailey Barash, 1980
24 LUCE Number 14 2015