yesterday the ramifications of childhood neglect and abuse extended much further than those who suffered in care.

Mrs Moore accepted yesterday’s national apology on behalf of her long-dead father, who was raised in two of

South Australia’s most notorious institutions for boys.

She said his childhood infected his entire life, which

was characterised by alcoholism, violence and neglect of

his family in later life.

He eventually committed suicide at the age of 44.

But Mrs Moore said he never divulged his past to herself or her sister, and it was not until long after his death

she discovered where he had spent his childhood and

finally understood him.

‘‘I can’t really tell what happened to him but he was a

damaged child who became a damaged adult,’’ she said.

‘‘I didn’t really know him that well. He came and went

and was very angry and distant and I could never really

explain his behaviour before.

‘‘But I can now.

‘‘If he was alive today I would say to him, ‘Dad, you

accept that because it gives you dignity’ but he probably

wouldn’t.

‘‘But I accept it and I’m his voice now.’’

At Child and Family Services’ Lydiard St office yesterday

morning — where she travelled to watch the apology

from her Anakie home — she clapped as Prime Minister

Kevin Rudd acknowledged that many who grew up in the

care of the government took their own lives.

She said her father distanced himself from his family

and, like many Forgotten Australians, died alone.

‘‘My father has no grave, no marker, I would like to have

his name in cement so I can go and put some flowers there,’’ she said.

‘‘I have grieved more for him in the past couple of years

than ever before.’’