Students and teachers at Brighton Catholic Primary came together this week, Tuesday, 26 May, for the annual celebration of Sorry Day.
The school celebrated the event with the assistance of Indigenous Australian staff member Bradley Barbuto, along with several Indigenous Australian students, and member of the local Noongar Whadjuk tribe, Daniel Garlett.
The term “Sorry Day” was brought about following the release of the Bringing Them Home Report in 1997, which looked at the effects of the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families from 1909 to 1969. These became known as the Stolen Generation.
The first Sorry Day was held on 26 May 1998, which was then followed by a statement and formal apology in February 2013 by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
As part of the celebration, Mr Garlett spoke to the students and teachers about his tribe, making note to give thanks to God for the land.
Mr Garlett went on to explain to the audience about his work and the meaning of Sorry Day for him.
“For me, Sorry Day is not just about acknowledging the wrongs of the past for the Stolen Generation,” Mr Garlett said.
“It is also about uniting a nation of people regardless of who they are. We all make mistakes and it is important we don’t blame anyone.”
Indigenous students of the school were also given the opportunity to assist Mr Garlett with creating the smoking ceremony, in which the audience was also encouraged to participate.