Hume City Council has marked National Sorry Day with a moving community gathering at the Stolen Generations Marker in Craigieburn on Monday 26 May.
The annual event, also known as the National Day of Healing, precedes Reconciliation Week to recognise ongoing efforts towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
More than 100 community members came together to honour the Stolen Generations —Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families, culture, and Country.
The event featured a Welcome to Country, traditional performances, powerful reflections, and ceremonial flower laying, creating space for truth-telling, healing, and unity.
Hume City Mayor, Cr Jarrod Bell, said Sorry Day was an important moment for Council and the community to come together in respect and solidarity.
"Sorry Day at Craigieburn's Stolen Generation Marker is about acknowledging the deep hurt caused by the forced removal of children, and recognising the strength and resilience of the Stolen Generations," Cr Bell said.
"Our Stolen Generations Marker is a place where truth and healing meet. It's a space to connect, to listen, and to reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation."
The Stolen Generations Marker, unveiled in 2022, was designed by Gunnai/Waradjurie/Yorta Yorta/Gunditjmarra artist, Robert Young.
The installation, Covered in our Creator, features a large metal possum skin cloak (representing family), located on a canoe shaped ground artwork (representing journey) in front of a traditional coolamon rendered in stone (representing childhood).
Young worked with several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members with personal experiences related to the Stolen Generations to create original designs that feature on the surface of the large metal cloak so each element of the Marker tells its own story.
Following on from Sorry Day, Reconciliation Week runs 27 May to 3 June. This year's National Reconciliation Week theme, Bridging Now to Next, guided the tone of the day, reminding all Australians that reconciliation requires reflection on the past and action for a fairer, more inclusive future.
Learn more about Hume's commitment to reconciliation at local Reconciliation Week events.
Learn more about Reconciliation Week events outside of Hume.
