news | action | information | events | contact | search | news | action | information | events | contact | search |
key indigenous australian issues
| home | news lSorry Day is this Wednesday May 26National Sorry Day Committee 23 May 2004 - Dear Friends,
At the University of Queensland, 500 people will sit down for the annual Sorry Day Dinner. At the Sydney Opera House, former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser will give a keynote speech to launch an evening of song, story and poetry by the stolen generations of NSW. In Tasmania, Doris Pilkington, author of Rabbit-Proof Fence, will host showings of the film in venues around Hobart. In Adelaide, 3,000 people are expected to gather in a main city square. In Perth The West Australian will carry a half-page advertisement about the Journey of Healing. Since its launch in 1999, hundreds of Journey of Healing events have brought Indigenous and non-Indigenous together. Stolen generations people who had felt alienated by their experiences began to feel welcome. Many who were isolated by frustration and hopelessness are today creatively involved in their local communities. Recently the ABC TV programme Compass focused on the work of men who, as children, were removed to the notorious Kinchela Boys' Home, but who today are helping people in need, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, in the Redfern area. This year an event of great significance will take place - the unveiling of a memorial at Reconciliation Place, Canberra, which honours the stolen generations and 'all those, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, whose genuine care softened the impact of what are now recognised as cruel and misguided policies.' Through quotes from those involved, it describes the impact of these policies. The text came out of consultation with hundreds of the stolen generations and those who staffed the institutions or fostered or adopted removed children. As South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission has shown, the truth about what happened is a vital step on the road to reconciliation. This memorial takes that step. It will give new hope to all who long for genuine reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. If you would like posters, badges, T-shirts, please contact John Bond at 02 6281 0940, and they will be dispatched speedily. If you know of any events which are not listed please let me know and I will add them as soon as possible. With best wishes, Liam Neame
STATE WEBSITES ACT NEW SOUTH WALES NORTHERN TERRITORY QUEENSLAND TASMANIA VICTORIA WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Sorry Day 2004 (26 May) and dedication of stolen generations memorial (28-9 May) On Friday 28 May at 11am in Canberra, the Federal Government will dedicate a memorial to the stolen generations, and 'all those, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, whose genuine care softened the impact of what are now recognised as cruel and misguided policies.' At the same time, it will dedicate a memorial to Aboriginal pioneers Vincent Lingiari and Neville Bonner. Senator Amanda Vanstone, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, will represent the Government. Saturday 29 May 11am - 3pm, Canberra
NEW SOUTH WALES Sydney 26 May 2pm-4pm: Yarn-Up and barbecue in Hyde Park North. At 5pm, at the Sydney Opera House, the stolen generations of NSW will host a free evening of songs, stories and poetry. Performers will include the Aboriginal opera singer Deborah Cheetham. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser will speak (5.15pm) and Senator Aden Ridgeway (8pm). At interval, 6.45pm, an exhibition by Aboriginal artists from the Darling-Murray basin will be launched. Vince Wenberg, 9892 1103 or Diana Plater: 0419 692 502. Hornsby 26 May 10.00am-1pm Residents for Reconciliation and Hornsby Shire Council will co-host a schools event in Florence Street Mall. Groups from 20 schools will perform story, song, dance or poetry, or display art or craft work with a Reconciliation theme. Senator Aden Ridgeway will speak. See www.journeyofhealing.com for details of events in Redfern, Mosman, Narrabeen, Wilcannia, Minto, Cootamundra, Ulladulla, Maclean, Tweed Heads. VICTORIA Wed 26 May 10 am City Square (cnr Collins and Swanston Sts), Melbourne. Lest We Forget the Unfinished Business - a program of song, entertainment and speakers including Doris Pilkington, author of Rabbit-Proof Fence. 12 noon: March to Parliament and on the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, Brunswick. Entertainment until 4pm. Mick Edwards, 0409 930 742 St Kilda - Aboriginal radio personality Dennis (den the fish) Fisher will chair a Sorry Day Commemoration (10am-1pm), launched by Mayor of Port Phillip, at O'Donnell Gardens, cnr Acland St and The Esplanade, St Kilda. Rosemary Rule,0418 675 734 The webpage carries information about events in Ballarat, Bundoora and elsewhere. QUEENSLAND Tues 25 May Wed 26 May Liddy Clark, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy, and Professor Bonnie Robertson will speak at a Sorry Day rally, "Unfinished business", 10am-3pm Roma Street Parklands. Murri School Dancers, Wagga Dance Company, Samson James Band, Reconciliation Choir. Dawn ceremonies will take place at the plaques which commemorate the institutions in that area of Brisbane to which removed children were taken. Among them are: Wed 26 May 7am Orleigh Park, West End, near the Rowing Club At the University of Queensland, 500 people will sit down for the annual Sorry Day Dinner on Friday 28 May. During the preceding week the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags will be flown at the union building for the first time ever, and there will be an extensive series of events including a forum on 26 May at 12 noon on "What is Sorry Business?" NORTHERN TERRITORY Wed 26 May 10.00am Sorry Day will be commemorated at the Water Gardens, Rapid Creek, Darwin. Several hundred will walk towards reconciliation over Alawa Bridge. 08 8945 1687 12.45pm Charles Darwin University commemoration. Matthew Bonson MLA will speak. Rabbit-Proof Fence will be screened. Cheri Williams, 8946 7763 Sat 29 May. Reconciliation Week Journey of Healing family day. Mindil Beach Markets, 2 - 10pm. 8981 3830 or 8945 1687 Jabiru: 26 May The Jabiru Town Council has apologised to indigenous people for the pain, grief and suffering they have endured for more than two centuries. From 9am to 2pm, a tarp will be out on the lawns in front of the Jabiru Library. Everyone is welcome to come and add a signed hand. At 2.30pm, the tarp will be hung on the wall for all to see. WESTERN AUSTRALIA Last month the Bringing Them Home Committee (WA) held a quiz night with a WA Reconciliation Group, and raised $5,000 for the Bringing Them Home Trust and similar purposes. This Trust has helped many stolen generations people by supporting the work of Link-Up, helping individuals to visit the country from which they were removed. Wed 26 May: The West Australian will carry a half-page advertisement about the Journey of Healing. Sun 30 May: Sorry Day commemoration, noon - 2.00pm. Palms Community Centre, cnr Rokeby Road and Nicholson Road, Subiaco. Theo Mackaay 0407 082 607 TASMANIA Sun 23 May. Murrayfield, Bruny Island Journey of Healing commemoration from 12.30pm. Featuring Doris Pilkington, author of Rabbit Proof Fence. Buses depart Elizabeth St, Franklin Square. 10.00 am returns 4.15pm. Mon 24 May: Rabbit-Proof Fence with Doris Pilkington. Glenorchy Civic Centre, Hobart. 10.00am - 2.00pm Wed 26 May: Risdon Cove, Hobart. 12.00pm - 2.30pm Speakers, entertainment, barbecue. More info: Debra Hocking 0417 358 363 SOUTH AUSTRALIA Wed 26 May 10.00am - 5.00pm In Adelaide, Tandanyangga (Victoria Square) will be filled with marquees representing the institutions to which children were removed. Many of those who attended these institutions will be present, able to share their own experiences. Due to the popularity of the event last year, when 3,000 people attended it, its hours have been extended. All are welcome, also to the barbecue over lunchtime. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Tues 25 May 6.00pm. Inaugural ANU Annual Reconciliation Lecture, Reconciliation - Beyond the Bridges and Sorry. Speaker - Patrick Dodson. Great Hall, Parliament House Hosted by Chancellor of ANU and Reconciliation Australia, Wed 26 May 9.00am - 12.30pm. Healing the Stolen Generations Workshop led by Professor Judy Atkinson, Chair of the College of Indigenous Australian Peoples at Southern Cross University. SAS Theatre, National Museum, Acton Journey of Healing ACT, 6258 9102 ANU Sorry Day walk 11.00am. Stories and poetry significant to Sorry Day. Beth Rothe, 6125 5981 or beth.rothe@anu.edu.au University of Canberra 12.30-1.30pm, Sorry Day celebration, Room 6B 45, Building 6. Audrey Ngingali Kinnear, co-chair National Sorry Day Committee will speak. Leonie Acland, 6201 2052 Sat 29 May, 8.00pm Black Enough? A musical and visual journey into Aboriginal identity, written and performed by Helen Moran, a stolen generations poet and singer . The Hall, Canberra Baptist Church, Currie Cres, Kingston. 6249 1277 For media information and to arrange interviews please call Diana Plater, 0419 692 502 or plater@fl.net.au For more events, please look at www.journeyofhealing.com National Sorry Day Committee "An apology does not imply guilt. It implies a recognition that an injustice - Malcolm Fraser, Co-Patron Journey of Healing.
|
a new |
|
Sorry Day, the annual commemoration of the Journey of Healing, is almost on us. The website has been steadily updated, and at present carries news of 39 public events in all capital cities and many smaller centres. Many more take place unannounced, particularly in Aboriginal communities, where people come together to remember the children they lost.
