Community members and schoolchildren gathered at The Pavilion on Tuesday to recognise National Sorry Day, embracing this year's theme of From Sorry to Action.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald and fellow Councillors Stuart Larkins and Melinda Lawton attended the event for the national day which acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities.
Aunty Jodie Stewart delivered the Welcome to Country, fellow local elder Aunty Gwenda Jarrett shared her insights on the significance of National Sorry Day and Kristian Jarrett skilfully coordinated the smoking ceremony in the undercover area outside The Pavilion as the rain tumbled down.
National Sorry Day is a reminder for all Australians to acknowledge the truth of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children of the Stolen Generations were forcibly removed from their families, communities and Country, and the enduring, intergenerational impacts that continue today.
Mayor McDonald said it was important to remember the grief, trauma and loss experienced by generations of First Nations families, and that those impacts continue to be felt today.
"As Mayor, and on behalf of Kiama Council and our community, I say sorry," he said.
"Sorry for the policies and actions that caused such profound hurt and disconnection. Sorry for the silence that too often followed. And sorry for the ongoing pain carried by many families and communities across this country.
"Reconciliation is something we live through our actions, our relationships, our willingness to listen, and our commitment to building a more respectful and inclusive future together."
"We are teaching the students about our history in a nice way, not to be sad or be burdened because of what happened to Aboriginal people in the past."
Cr Larkins, a Wodi Wodi man, said the National Sorry Day event created opportunities for connection, understanding and healing.
"We've done this ceremony for a number of years now and each time it gets bigger and better, and it's amazing to see so many children attending this event," he said.
"As a local Aboriginal person, having these events recognises the history of my family and the families that are here that went through the Stolen Generations and policies which impacted our community."
