Central Coast Council has urged residents to pause, reflect and celebrate the region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture during National Reconciliation Week, which continues until June 3.
In acknowledging National Sorry Day on May 26, Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said it was an opportunity for the community to reflect and remember the grief, suffering and injustice experienced by the stolen generations.
“The stolen generations are those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were separated from their families as children,” Vaughan said.
To mark National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week, and given current COVID-19 restrictions, Council has installed street flags celebrating artworks developed by local schools through the Maliga program.
“The flags are currently displayed in The Entrance, Toukley and Long Jetty and will also be installed along Tuggerah Straight in June,” Vaughan said.
Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews said the historic tabling of the Bringing Them Home Report 23 years ago has meant greater awareness and understanding of the issues impacting the stolen generations, many of whom belong to the Central Coast community.
“The first National Sorry Day was held on May 26, 1998, to commemorate the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home Report in Federal parliament, and it was this report that formally recognised the stories of the stolen generations,” Cr Mathews said.
“It is important we continue to acknowledge moments of significance for members of our community.
Source:
Media release, May 26
Central Coast Council