Tess Rowley

'Do our mothers think of us?' The Shameful History of a Catholic Orphanage told through the eyes of the children who were there. Bobbie is two years old when her French Grandmother leaves her at Nazareth House, Brisbane, in 1942. In the following years Bobbie experiences and witnesses horrific abuse by some of the nuns. Sweeping, polishing, cooking; the children have no time to play. Each day is consumed with hard labour and cruel punishments. In spite of this, there are lighter moments when kind acts from strangers are recalled. The children's indomitable spirits shine through and leave the reader with a strong message of hope.