ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE REPORT By Fiona Basile, Kairos Catholic Journal
Four years ago on this day, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addressed
the nation to publicly apologise to the Indigenous people of Australia for the
past injustices and wrongs done to them. Today about 200 people gathered at
Birrarung Marr to commemorate this momentous occasion thanks to a new initiative
of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Melbourne (ACMM) office.
View gallery
Launched last week at the ACMM office, the ‘I Feel Proud Today’ campaign aims to commemorate the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations made by Kevin Rudd in Parliament on 13 February 2008.
ACMM executive office Vicki Clarke said, “The campaign aims to ensure
that our shared story will never be forgotten.”
“The ‘I feel proud today’ campaign is about keeping the National Apology alive in the minds and hearts of the Australian People.
“This day is about commemorating our shared history and about
bringing people back to how they felt when the National Apology was being read
out, and how they felt about being witness to such a significant moment in our
modern history.
“By commemorating this day, Australians can continue to reflect on that moment in time where we united as one, determined to mend relationships with our Indigenous people.
“The National Apology was so important for the healing of this Nation; it has helped many people to move on but we need to keep touching people’s hearts and spirit, to ensure this truly sacred moment is never forgotten.”
Both at the launch last week and during this morning’s commemoration, Ian Hamm, Executive Officer of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria spoke of his experience of being separated from his parents and family as children and the significance of the National Apology for him.
“The importance of that day for the people of this country cannot be
underestimated,” said Ian.
“I don’t think there are the words to capture what those words [I’m sorry] meant to us as a nation. For a single moment in time, by and large Australia was in one place with a deeper commitment that often doesn’t happen.
“It’s a day and moment in time that we should never forget. It brought everyone in this country together and was also the beginning of another journey toward healing, particularly for the Aboriginal community and Stolen Generation. We can never recreate it, but we can remember it every year.”
As people watched on, they wore badges with the words ‘I Feel Proud
Today’ on them.
Five thousand badges and resource kits have also been distributed to schools and organisations throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia to help commemorate the day.
Both the launch and today’s event were organised with the support of Link-Up, Connecting Home, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, Reconciliation Victoria, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, Archdiocese of Melbourne Social Justice office, Catholic Social Services Victoria, Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, Brotherhood of St Laurence and the City of Melbourne.
Vicki said, “The organisations, communities and individuals represented want to acknowledge the importance of the Apology, and its part in the journey towards healing and recognition.”
“There is a legacy of pain for many but this day is a day for all Australians to be proud of
the steps that have been taken towards healing and unity.
“This campaign is only beginning and I’ve got no doubt it will only get bigger and better as the years go on. We will never forget this day and what it means to our Indigenous brothers and sisters, and to all Australians.”
View story and gallery from last week's campaign launch at ACMM office.
Photos by Fiona Basile, Kairos Catholic Journal
Four years ago on this day, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addressed
the nation to publicly apologise to the Indigenous people of Australia for the
past injustices and wrongs done to them. Today about 200 people gathered at
Birrarung Marr to commemorate this momentous occasion thanks to a new initiative
of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Melbourne (ACMM) office.View gallery
Launched last week at the ACMM office, the ‘I Feel Proud Today’ campaign aims to commemorate the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations made by Kevin Rudd in Parliament on 13 February 2008.
ACMM executive office Vicki Clarke said, “The campaign aims to ensure
that our shared story will never be forgotten.”“The ‘I feel proud today’ campaign is about keeping the National Apology alive in the minds and hearts of the Australian People.
“This day is about commemorating our shared history and about
bringing people back to how they felt when the National Apology was being read
out, and how they felt about being witness to such a significant moment in our
modern history.“By commemorating this day, Australians can continue to reflect on that moment in time where we united as one, determined to mend relationships with our Indigenous people.
“The National Apology was so important for the healing of this Nation; it has helped many people to move on but we need to keep touching people’s hearts and spirit, to ensure this truly sacred moment is never forgotten.”
Both at the launch last week and during this morning’s commemoration, Ian Hamm, Executive Officer of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria spoke of his experience of being separated from his parents and family as children and the significance of the National Apology for him.
“The importance of that day for the people of this country cannot be
underestimated,” said Ian.“I don’t think there are the words to capture what those words [I’m sorry] meant to us as a nation. For a single moment in time, by and large Australia was in one place with a deeper commitment that often doesn’t happen.
“It’s a day and moment in time that we should never forget. It brought everyone in this country together and was also the beginning of another journey toward healing, particularly for the Aboriginal community and Stolen Generation. We can never recreate it, but we can remember it every year.”
As people watched on, they wore badges with the words ‘I Feel Proud
Today’ on them.Five thousand badges and resource kits have also been distributed to schools and organisations throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia to help commemorate the day.
Both the launch and today’s event were organised with the support of Link-Up, Connecting Home, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, Reconciliation Victoria, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, Archdiocese of Melbourne Social Justice office, Catholic Social Services Victoria, Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, Brotherhood of St Laurence and the City of Melbourne.
Vicki said, “The organisations, communities and individuals represented want to acknowledge the importance of the Apology, and its part in the journey towards healing and recognition.”
“There is a legacy of pain for many but this day is a day for all Australians to be proud of
the steps that have been taken towards healing and unity.
“This campaign is only beginning and I’ve got no doubt it will only get bigger and better as the years go on. We will never forget this day and what it means to our Indigenous brothers and sisters, and to all Australians.”
View story and gallery from last week's campaign launch at ACMM office.
Photos by Fiona Basile, Kairos Catholic Journal
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