City of Wagga Wagga and Wiradjuri Elder combine for reconciliation project

To mark the 20th anniversary of National Sorry Day, the City of Wagga Wagga and Aunty Isobel Reid have announced a new project to pay respect to those impacted by forced removal policies and work towards reconciliation.

National Sorry Day is held on 26 May each year to remember the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The day provides a chance for people to come together in the healing process for the Stolen Generations who were forcibly removed from their family and communities.

“National Sorry Day is a time to pay respect to and remember all those who have been impacted by government policies of forcible removal that have resulted in the Stolen Generations,” Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said.

“As part of the 20th anniversary and upon request from Aunty Isobel Reid, we are working to place a large rock cradling a commemorative plaque at the Wollundry Lagoon precinct.

“The City is committed to working with our Aboriginal community members towards reconciliation.”

Once the project is complete and installed, the community will be invited to commemorate the unveiling of the monument by Aunty Isobel Reid and the Mayor.

A highly regarded local Wiradjuri Elder, Aunty Isobel Reid is the chair of the Cootamundra Girls Home Corporation and has worked tirelessly to progress the recommendations of the “Bringing Them Home Report” that was tabled in Federal Parliament on 26 May 1997.

Held annually since 1998, National Sorry Day was born out of a key recommendation made by the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families in the report.

The intergenerational impact of the forcible removal policies on young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander citizens in the 21st Century have been profound, and the commemoration of National Sorry Day each year helps contribute towards a broader on-going effort toward healing and social and emotional wellbeing for individuals, families and communities across the country.

Aunty Isobel Reid can be contacted on 0437 900 811