Community

Sorry Day

On Tuesday, 26 May St Patrick’s College hosted the 2026 Sorry Day ceremony for the three local Catholic secondary schools. This ceremony has rotated among Loreto College, Damascus College and St Patrick’s College over recent years as a sign of solidarity among the three schools.

This year's ceremony was held in the Performing Arts Centre with the St Patrick’s Year 12 and First Nations students in attendance accompanied by students from Loreto and Damascus Colleges. The Year 7 -11 St Patrick’s students participated in the event via MS Teams in their homeroom groups.

Year 12 student and First Nations Student Leader Daniel Rivas did a marvellous job as master of ceremonies for the event and interviewed Aunty Doreen, a woman from the Fink River region of Central Australia. She outlined her experiences as being part of the Stolen Generations and hoped for reconciliation for all Australians.

Why do we conduct a Sorry Day ceremony each year?

The first National Sorry Day was held on 26 May 1998, one year after the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Federal Parliament. The Bringing Them Home report was a result of a Government Inquiry into past policies which caused First Nations children to be removed from their families and communities in the 20th century. It strove to right some of the wrongs of the past and to start the journey towards reconciliation for all Australians.

These policies in all states of Australia lead to family dislocation, loss of culture and language, and also intergenerational trauma which still to this day has an impact on current generations.

In 2008, the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised to the people of the Stolen Generations. This act certainly did not right the wrongs of the past, nor has it healed the damage that had been done, however maybe it was a step in the right direction. The acknowledgement and recognition of the wrongs done- was the point. A process that is another step along the journey to reconciliation.

Maybe thinking about and talking about these issues can make us feel uncomfortable and that is okay. It is only when we are moved out of our comfort zone that real change can occur in the hearts and minds of individuals.

Some of us might say, I have nothing to be sorry for- I didn’t do any of this, I’m not guilty of the sins of earlier generations… and you are right, however you are the future of our great nation and our students will be the parents, professionals, tradesmen and citizens of the next half century. It is important that we know about our history, our national triumphs, disasters and injustices. As we cannot let the scales of ignorance and injustice blind us to the truth.

We as a nation have much for which to be grateful and we want all of us to share in our nation’s gifts. Reconciliation Week and National Sorry Day should be a time for us as a nation to stop reflect and recognise so as we can build a better future. We have much to be optimistic about as you are fine young people who will seek the truth and make a positive difference in the world.

One Night of Homelessness

On Thursday, 28 May our Year 10 boys participated in the One Night of Homelessness. The evening aims to provide our boys with the experience of living as a homeless person for the evening. On a cold Ballarat evening the prospect of sleeping rough is a daunting one. 

The boys were given the opportunity to listen to Mr Craig Schepis, the founder of The Soup Bus, and later in the night each boy was provided with a warm cup of soup. The Soup Bus provides a meal service to Ballarat’s homeless and vulnerable residents, entirely funded by the generosity of the local community. Established in 2009, the organisation relies on a heartbeat of 500 volunteers who manage rosters, drive the buses, prepare meals and collect donations.

Currently, The Soup Bus operates five nights a week in Ballarat Central, alongside a second venue in Wendouree that offers indoor, sit-down meals two nights a week.

Part of the evening is for the boys to find somewhere to sleep with their homeroom groups around the College. As is the experience for many homeless people who get moved on during the night, the boys would be moved on to a new location every hour. A very frustrating experience.

Thanks is extended to Head of Senior School, Mr Matt Miller and the Year 10 Leaders, Rebecca Curtis Lester and Tess Jennings for their organisation and coordination of the evening as well  as the many staff who stayed over night to support our students.