Smoking ceremony: Nathan Bourke starts the fire.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Friday, May 26 was National Sorry Day, marking 26 years since Australia’s Bringing Them Home report was released.
The Shepparton community commemorated the day with an event at Monash Park where Stolen Generations survivor Daryl Sloan spoke about his experience growing up.
The day also included a Welcome to Country by Michael Bourke, and a smoking ceremony through which the close to 300 people in attendance walked.
Schools also got involved, with students reading out the history of the day, the declaration of sorrow and encouragements for Reconciliation Week from May 27 to June 3.
Check out some of the photos News photographer Megan Fisher took of the day.
Message to the generations: St Mary’s Primary School Mooroopna student Savannah Hooker listening at the Sorry Day event.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Powerful voice: Notre Dame student Yilanii Atkinson puts a challenge to audience members, asking them how they can be a voice for generations and build off last year’s theme for Reconciliation Week.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Cleansing: Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group co-convenor Dierdre Robertson cleansing herself with the smoke during the smoking ceremony.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Only good energy: Daryl Sloan cleanses himself in the smoke as Nathan Bourke facilitates the fire.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Tradition: Nathan Bourke about to light the leaves for the smoking ceremony.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Learning: Students from St Mary’s Primary School Mooroopna, Louise Garcia, Savannah Hooker, Jessica Neeson, Zach Harsty and Noah Woods, attend the Sorry Day event.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Up they go: During the ceremony, the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were raised.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Speech: Greater Shepparton Secondary College captains Andrew Kenttala and Luci Garner speak at the event.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Inspiring: Daryl Sloan tells his story as a survivor of the Stolen Generations.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Fire: City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali takes a moment to walk through the ceremonial smoke.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Paying respects: Neha Samar walking through the smoke during the smoking ceremony.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Packed: About 300 people attended the event.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Smoking ceremony: Nathan Bourke controlling the smoke as people walk by.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Powerful message: Paper hands were decorated and placed around the top of Monash Park where the flags were raised.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Spark: Lighting of the leaves for the smoking ceremony.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Behind the scenes: Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group co-convenors Bobby Nicholls and Dierdre Robertson were behind the organisation of the day.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Creative: Artwork was placed on the hill at Monash Park.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Preparing: Michael Bourke helping set up the smoking ceremony.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
High in the sky: Raising of the flags at Monash Park.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Message to the generations: St Mary’s Primary School Mooroopna student Savannah Hooker listening at the Sorry Day event.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 2 of 17
Powerful voice: Notre Dame student Yilanii Atkinson put out a challenge to the audience asking them how they can be a voice for generations and build off last year’s theme for Reconciliation Week.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 3 of 17
Cleansing: Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group co-convenor Dierdre Robertson cleansing herself with the smoke during the smoking ceremony.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 4 of 17
Only good energy: Daryl Sloan cleanses himself in the smoke as Nathan Bourke works on the fire.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 5 of 17
Tradition: Nathan Bourke about to light the leaves for the smoking ceremony.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 6 of 17
Learning: Students from St Mary’s Primary School Mooroopna, Louise Garcia, Savannah Hooker, Jessica Neeson, Zach Harsty and Noah Woods, attend the Sorry Day event.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 7 of 17
Up they go: During the ceremony, the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were raised.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 8 of 17
Speech: Greater Shepparton Secondary College captains Andrew Kenttala and Luci Garner speak at the event.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 9 of 17
Inspiring: Daryl Sloan tells his story as a survivor of the Stolen Generations.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 10 of 17
Fire: City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali takes a moment to walk through the ceremonial smoke.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 11 of 17
Packed: There was close to 300 people at the event.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 12 of 17
Smoking ceremony: Nathan Bourke starts the fire.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 13 of 17
Powerful message: Paper hands were decorated and placed around the top of Monash Park where the flags were raised.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 14 of 17
Tradition: Lighting of the leaves for the smoking ceremony.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 15 of 17
Behind the scenes: Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group co-convenors Bobby Nicholls and Dierdre Robertson were behind the organisation of the day.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 16 of 17
Creative: Artwork was placed on the hill at Monash Park.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 17 of 17
Preparing: Micheal Bourke helping set up the smoking ceremony.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
