Generations ago, families were ripped apart in the Pacific — now, these women are working to reunite them

Pacific Islanders were brought to Australia to work, and many were tricked or even kidnapped. (State Library of Queensland)

Lilon Bongmatur's great-grandfather was just a boy when he was kidnapped from a Vanuatu beach.

At first, he and the other children didn't realise the threat. Missionaries and traders were common on Ambrym Island, and they thought nothing of the ship coming towards the beach near the village at Dip Point.