Feels like home to me: Greg Duffy’s reunion story
Hello, my name is Greg Duffy and I was born Kevin Dudley Lynch on the 15/07/1956 at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. I was adopted by Noel and Joan Duffy, even though my papers stated that I was not suitable for adoption as “this one is showing colour.” Joan took me home and raised me as her own child, along with Joan’s daughter and my three siblings that later came from Nudgee Orphanage.
My adoptive parents loved and raised us all as their own and provided a great family life. But I always felt the odd one out. I loved Noel and Joan, they were great parents, but I always felt the yearning for mum, the land and how things could have been. At that time nothing could be done to try and find my mob. Red tape and government restrictions made it impossible to track them down.
Years went by, I got married twice. Along with my wife of 33 years Karen, we raised five great kids and now have five fantastic grandkids.
As they got older, they started asking questions about their heritage and where we came from.
Around 2006 I contacted Jigsaw for information, but they couldn’t help at the time, red tape again.
Some years passed before I started looking again. I was informed of Link-Up (Qld) who I contacted and arranged a meeting. With only my adoption papers, I had no real source of identity. I was assigned Mr Sloane Stallan as my case worker and the team went to work.
Along the way I’ve met some wonderful people. My case moved on to Mr Jason Ives who along with the research team Ms Ruth Loli and Link-Up (Qld)’s CEO, Ms Pat Thompson all helped me. Thanks to all the staff at Link-Up who have supported me through this process. Along with all my friends at Link-Up (Qld) morning teas and everyone involved and of course the late Uncle Sam Watson, a wonderful man and warrior for us all.
I mentioned to Donna at one of the morning teas that I played guitar, and she came up with a crazy idea. What better way to establish identity and heritage than to play and sing a song she picked out for me called ‘Feels Like Home To Me’ at the 35 Year Anniversary Gala Night at City Hall. It was an honour and an experience of a lifetime, thanks Donna.
Due to the persistence of the research team, we finally confirmed my identity. My family now has roots that would eventually lead us to Waluwarra mob on the Georgina River. After years of searching, out of the blue Jason calls and says, “I think we found your cousin Steven in Townsville!” Well I nearly hit the floor; I never thought this day would come. Jason said there was a bit more checking to do, and he will get back to me soon. At home, my family was buzzing with the news.
It was in March 2020 at the Link-Up (Qld) office at Woolloongabba that for the first time in 63 years I met a blood relative.
Toowong Cemetary.
It was an amazing moment in time – when you look eye to eye with a man you’ve never met and feel the warmth and love straight up.
His name is Steven Lynch and along with his lovely wife Kimberly and my wife Karen, we spent a couple of fantastic days together. Steve shared stories of the family and is happy to help fill in the gaps wherever he can. We also spent time at the grave sites of our grandfather who was a WW1 veteran in the light horse regiment and our uncle. We both didn’t know they were there. It was a special time for us all. To the Link-Up (Qld) Team – due to your professionalism and dedication you’ve helped me in many ways to reach my goal of finding my family and hopefully leading to my mother. Your work is done, and my case is closed! From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.
Greg Duffy
Published June 2020.