A message from your Council: Taking action for reconciliation
Published on 19 May 2023
National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week present opportunities for all of us to acknowledge and have meaningful conversations about our past, present and future as a nation.
Play your part in healing
On 26 May each year, Australia marks National Sorry Day. Sorry Day acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, known as the Stolen Generations.
Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation holds its commemorative service at Kempsey Railway Station to mark National Sorry Day. This year’s service has been postponed due to Sorry Business in community and a new date will be advised.
It’s important to know about the role Kempsey Railway Station played in the Stolen Generations. It is where Aboriginal boys arrived before being taken to Kinchela Boys Home. It is also where Aboriginal girls and boys from the Macleay Valley were brought and put on trains to be sent to institutions throughout the state. Some of these children never saw their families again and were disconnected from their culture.
We acknowledge the Stolen Generations and the intergenerational trauma this injustice presents for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, communities and peoples. We can all play a part in healing.
Be a voice for generations
‘Be a Voice for Generations’ is the theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023 which begins on Saturday 27 May and runs through to 3 June.
It’s a reminder for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan is our framework to offer the shire many opportunities to connect with, experience and celebrate Thunggutti/Dunghutti culture. Staff collaborate with local Aboriginal businesses and organisations to deliver events that celebrate and commemorate Aboriginal heritage.
During Reconciliation Week, Council will host a bush tucker inspired lunch at Kempsey Library between 12 noon and 2pm Monday 29 May. Everyone is invited to drop-in, for a light lunch and participate in cultural activities including community yarns and cultural weaving.
The event is free to attend, but registration is encouraged to assist with catering. You can register by visiting ksc.pub/eat-yarn
Reconciliation and our Aboriginal history are prominent topics in our community. Through conversation we can improve our understanding and learn from one another. We will approach such discussions with an open mind and a compassionate heart.