National Sorry Day

“National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country.” – Reconciliation Australia

The 26th of May 2024 marks 26 years since the first National Sorry Day, and 27 years since the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Australian Parliament. Now, National Sorry Day also acknowledges several other key events in the reconciliation movement, specifically the 2000 Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk for Reconciliation, and the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart.

As the executive leader of Respect, I feel a responsibility to uphold the acknowledgement and celebration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures of our community and country as a whole. This National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week, the college will be implementing several initiatives in order to raise awareness for this event and to acknowledge the significance of this date in the history of First Nations peoples, the reconciliation movement, and our country’s history.

Shay Coxhead 

Student Executive Leader for Respect