February 13 is the anniversary of the historic day Kevin Rudd delivered the National Apology, formally saying sorry to Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people for past Australian government policies of forced child removal and assimilation.
To commemorate this day, the Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group is holding an Apology Breakfast on Tuesday, February 13.
The first Apology Day breakfast was held in 2009, a year after the National Apology, by co-convenors at the time of Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group Renai Dean and Fran Smullen.
Since then, the tradition has continued, with co-convenors Dierdre Robertson and Uncle Bobby Nicholls now leading the way.
Ms Robertson said the group’s previous conveners had attended the 2008 National Apology themselves and decided it was time to bring something back to the region to continue recognising its importance.
“They wanted a way to bring the emotion and impact of the time to the Shepparton community but also provide for people — non-Aboriginal people — a way they can support the response to the Stolen Generations by learning about it and understanding it,” she said.
Over the years, the focus of the day, though it continued to be the same, also transitioned focus to include the younger generation.
“Our young people are our future, and it’s important they understand and know the history of colonisation of this country,” she said.
The ceremony will see two non-Indigenous students from Greater Shepparton Secondary College read the Apology and Indigenous students from the Academy of Sport, Health and Education involved in the smoking ceremony and emceeing the event.
Greater Shepparton schools will also be in attendance.
“There will also be a minute’s silence where we reflect on the impacts and ongoing impacts of government policies of removing children from families,” Ms Robertson said.
“The day will also recognise the strength of the Stolen Generations members who had the courage and strength to tell their stories to the national inquiry into the removal of children in the Bringing Them Home Report.”
Breakfast will be hosted by People Supporting People, and those interested in eating breakfast are encouraged to RSVP here and arrive about 7.30am as the event will start at 8am.
For those not wanting breakfast, there is no need to RSVP.
The event will take place at Queens Garden, Welsford St, Shepparton opposite Eastbank from 8am to 8.55am.
For more information, visit the Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group Facebook Page or contact Ms Robertson on 0417 398 158 or Uncle Bobby on 0434 279 653.