Participants at Lotus Place embrace the lotus as a powerful emblem of resilience, hope, and transformation. When our centre was named in 2009, members of the Historic Abuse Network selected the lotus to honor Forgotten Australians—those who grew up in out-of-home care and endured neglect, abandonment, or abuse. This symbol reminds us that, although the lotus seed begins life buried in mud, it perseveres, pushing through murky water toward sunlight until it blooms in pure, radiant beauty.
Our proposed Artforce box installation sits just down the road from Lotus Place, creating a visual landmark that echoes this journey. This box will celebrate the strength of Forgotten Australians, amplify marginalised voices, and offer the wider community a reminder and proof that beauty and hope can emerge from even the darkest beginnings.
