We are
passionate
about
healing histories
We aim
to bring
people together
in a good way
Below you will find summaries of the projects that we are developing creative content for …
Children Born of War: Australia and the
War in the Pacific 1941 - 1945
Three projects - a musical, a three episode documentary and a book - have grown out of a decade of research into the phenomenon of the Children Born of War in Australia and a committed effort to track them down, to engage with them and to resurrect a secret and buried history.
American military personnel both black and white were stationed in Australia for approximately five years when they came to fight the War in the Pacific, 1941 - 1945. The parents of the children born in Australia lived in extraordinary times of deprivation, fear and the spectre of death….what did they do? They partied. They fell in love. They wanted to marry.
They often did marry and there was an uplift of Australian War Brides when the war was over.
Couples who wished to marry were not always able to do so because of forces beyond their control. However, they formed deep affectionate relationships. They had babies. Then somebody had to leave. They were not able to return. What was left was heartbreak, abandonment and longing.
The stories of these couples and those of their children and grandchildren are deeply affecting.
Their stories also bind the two countries, Australia and the USA , together , as strongly as the alliance that was forged between the nations as a result of the War in the Pacific 1941 - 1945.
Tessa Cubillo - daughter of Child Born of War, John Cubillo who had been born of Audrey Pearson and a US sailor in 1945 - said to be of the name of Jackson - at the first meeting of the Australian Children Born of War in Brisbane 2013.
Mrs Joyce Shinn and her son Steven Shinn with Victoria Williams in Cleveland, November 2016. Joyce was born Joyce Noela Close to her mother Joan Mary Close and Edwin Miller of Cleveland OH, in Brisbane, December 15, 1943.
Child born of War, Jennifer Eileen de Silva (deceased) on her wedding day to Hugh Martens. Her mother is Ellen de Silva and her father Wilson Richard Warren of Detroit MI.
"...a celebration of the music, songs and dance, the fashion, the comaraderie, bravery and capacity to love...in the face of war..."
"...a celebration of the music, songs and dance, the fashion, the comaraderie, bravery and capacity to love...in the face of war..."
This production aims to be a joyous celebration of the love and friendship forged amongst civilians and military men who meet during the extreme circumstances of wartime.
It includes a story of an impossible love affair that is characteristic of many of the relationships forged at this time.
For information about how you can contribute to this exciting production and receive a pitch deck please contact Victoria at healinghistories@outlook.com (see full contact details below).
Geoffrey Joiner Snr (1944 - 2023) - in Cleveland OH, February 2016
Mrs Lyn Devow who was born of Clarice Nain and Walter Guyton on 24 November 1945 at the first meeting of the Children Born of War in Brisbane 2013.
In this newspaper image “off to join his father” - Geoffrey flew to the United States from Sydney when he was four years old in 1949
Documentary series:
Australian Children Born of War
The documentary series will cover the lives of three generations of families affected by the segregation policies that prevented them from forming stable families in four states of Australia. All have a dream of being able to fully reunite with families in the USA and in Australia.
Some have been successful and for others the search goes on.
Pitch deck in progress…
The book: “To Have and To Hold”: Sex, War, Race and Nation - the United States in Australia 1941 - 1945
Jennifer Germon and Victoria G Williams
(draft in progress - in discussions with Lexington Press re publication)
FORTHCOMING:
this page in development
The “Birdie” Project
The story of a woman’s life long association with the New York mafia - to be developed into a drama series - in partnership with EagleVision Media .
The Walkabout School in the Bronx
The curious case of Paul Beetham: Aboriginal Child Born of War in Britain
Contact Us
Dr Victoria Grieves Williams
Email
healinghistories@outlook.com
Phone
+1 (443) 554 2522