Page 5 - Synovum Care Magazine

MEET OUR RESIDENTS
PAGE 3
Meet the residents

Cecil Bowden, Bexley Care Community
Bexley resident Cecil Bowden talks about growing up as one the 'Stolen Generation'.

The early years

Cecil Bowden is the second youngest of nine
children born in Redfern Sydney in 1939 and,
like many indigenous Australians from that era,
is one of the Stolen Generation. Cecil was
taken from his mother and went to live in
Bomaderry Children’s home with his sister
Florence. He liked having Florence there with
him as she comforted and looked after him.
He remembers the women in charge being
very cruel to the children and they got many
thrashings in the home.

It gets tougher
At age 11 Cecil was moved on to Kinchella Boys
home in Kempsey and suffered through many
floggings in his years there. Cecil says ‘going to
school during the day was a relief as I got a break
from the beatings’. At aged 16, after leaving
Kinchella, Cecil went to Tech in Sydney and
became a plumber. He enjoyed his job and the
camaraderie with his fellow workers some of
whom he lived with in a share house. Cecil
describes himself as pretty easy going and got
on with most people.

The Artist as a young Man
Cecil always loved painting and his beautiful
works captivated many people in the art world
and he's showcased his work at many art
exhibitions in Sydney. He continues to paint
today and his stunning paintings are displayed
around Bexley Care Community.

Music soothes his soul
Cecil is also a musician and loves nothing more
than playing his guitar and singing a few tunes.
One of his favourite songs is Stevie Wonder‘s ‘I
just called to say I love you’.

'My older sister Florence
always looked out for me'

S Y N O V U M C A R E M A G A Z I N E