FYI:
Dear Friends,
It is impossible to gather complete information on Sorry Day activities,
since many communities organise their own events without informing anyone
outside the community. But the media likes to know what is happening, so we
have prepared this summary of the events we know about.
Hoping you can take part in one of these events - or organise your own.
Best wishes,
John Bond
Secretary
National Sorry Day Committee
Tel (02) 6281 0940
Fax (02) 6285 3616
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
MEDIA RELEASE, 19 May 2002
SORRY DAY 2002
On Sunday 26 May, Sorry Day will be commemorated across the country.
Aboriginal communities will remember the children who were removed. Bridge
walks, barbecues, concerts will take place in cities, towns and rural
centres as a further step on the Journey of Healing. Former Prime Minister
Malcolm Fraser, a patron of the Journey, will take part in a press
conference in Melbourne. The other patron, Doris Pilkington Garimara,
author of Rabbit-Proof Fence, will lead a forum in Perth. Available for
comment will be Sorry Day Committee Co-chairs Audrey Ngingali Kinnear (0408
823 450) and John Brown (0417 209 076). They welcome the growth in
understanding, in the past year, of the effect of forced removal though the
feature film Rabbit-Proof Fence and other productions such as last week's
Blue Heelers, which focused on the role of the police in removing children.
In MELBOURNE at the Aborigines Advancement League, 2 Watt Street,
Thornbury, a Welcome to Country at 9.45am will be followed by a multi-faith
service, and at 11.30am a press conference chaired by Dr Lillian Holt of
Melbourne University. Participants will include former Prime Minister
Malcolm Fraser, Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Keith Hamilton,
musician Kutcha Edwards and Link-Up worker Nicole Cassar. From 1pm a
concert will feature Kutcha Edwards and Brolga Boys. Contact: Jennifer
Rose, Ph: (03) 9637 8025 or 0418 346 825. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Other Sorry Day events are taking place around Melbourne - at La Trobe
University (Contact Nellie Green, 9479 3817), Nillumbik Shire Council,
Swinburne University of Technology (Contact Jacinta Fletcher, 9215 7208),
Healesville (Contact Robyn Sommers, 9294 6206), Banyule City Council
(Contact Peter Harvey, 9499 4404).
Events will also take place in country towns. In Ballarat, where there were
four institutions for stolen generations children, the Mayor will preside
at a Sorry Day gathering, 2.30pm on 26th, MacDonald's Bandstand, Lake
Wendouree. Maureen Riches-Brown, 03 5342 4125
In CANBERRA over 1,000 people are expected to walk across Commonwealth
Bridge, starting at midday, arriving in Commonwealth Park for a barbecue
and concert. Attractions include children's activities, ethnic foods,
stalls and displays. From 1.00pm on Stage 88 Jimmy Little and other
Indigenous musicians (including Dale Huddleston and his band) will sing and
Lowitja O'Donoghue, Tim Costello and ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope will
speak. At 7pm Prof O'Donoghue will be the main speaker at an ecumenical
service at the newly-opened Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture,
Blackall St, Barton. Contact: John Bond, 6281 0940, Thorwald Lorenzen, 6295
7759
In BRISBANE the day will begin with ceremonies at the plaques commemorating
the 15 institutions in Brisbane that held stolen generation children. At
10am people will gather at the Riverstage in the Botanical Gardens for an
opening ceremony, then join a silent 'Walk for Healing' over the Goodwill
Bridge, through Southbank to Musgrave Park, where a family festival will be
compered by Ernie Dingo, with Kev Carmody and many other performers. Lord
Mayor Jim Soorley will speak. There will be an exhibition of stolen
generations art. Gillian Brannigan 07 3255 0855 or 0439 038 066
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
A Tent Embassy at the University of Queensland, May 20-24, will host
speakers and forums on the stolen generations and related issues. Over 200
will attend a Sorry Day dinner at the University on 24 May. . Contact:
Terry McLaughlin, President, Indigenous Student Association, UQ Tel 07 3377
2200
See www.journeyofhealing.com for events on the GOLD COAST, SUNSHINE COAST,
ROCKHAMPTON, CAIRNS, TOOWOOMBA. Contact: Judi Wickes 07 5476 5209
At the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE the day will be marked with a Message Sticks
feast of musical performances from Romaine Moreton, Kerrianne Cox, Emma
Donovan and others. ATSIC Commissioner Murrundoo Yanner will speak. Media
enquiries: Emma Heath 02 9328 0762 or 0413 768 588 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sorry Day Co-chair Audrey Kinnear will be guest speaker at a family day at
Parramatta Park, which will include former residents of Kinchella Boys
Home, who are starting a 'journey home'. Contact: Frank Edwards. 0417 049
613. See www.journeyofhealing.com for details of events in HORNSBY,
GOSFORD, GYMEA, MANLY, NORTH SYDNEY, HUNTERS HILL, LIVERPOOL, MARRICKVILLE,
WELLINGTON, DUBBO, WILCANNIA, BLUE MOUNTAINS, KINGSCLIFF, COFFS HARBOUR,
LISMORE.
In TASMANIA hundreds will take the ferry to Bruny Island, site of the first
child removals, where there will be a concert and barbecue at Murrayfield
Farm, Bruny Island (Main Rd, Bruny Island - approx 9.5 km from the ferry)
starting at 12.30pm. Free buses have been arranged from Hobart and
Launceston. Contact: Debra Chandler (03) 6278 3223 or 0417 358 363
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or Pamela Mears 6234 8766.
In DARWIN there will be a free barbecue and entertainment in the Water
Gardens, Freshwater Rd, Jingili, noon until 4pm, 26th May. Contact Dan
Davies, 8985 6916 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] In KATHERINE, a Healing Day
will be held at Kalano on May 25, starting with a bridge walk. Meet at the
BP on Stuart Highway at 9am. There will be traditional dancing, BBQ lunch,
a cake cut by stolen generations Elders, local musicians, games for
children. Contact Pam Viti, (08) 8971 2716 Sharon Manhire Tel (08) 8922
7171 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In TENNANT CREEK a family event will be held at Mary-Ann Dam. Contact Helen
Kane, 08 8962 1114
In PERTH, there will be a family commemorative day at the Cyril Jackson
Recreation Centre, Fisher St, Ashfield from 11.00am. Speakers include
Bassendean Mayor Greg Peterson, Doris Pilkington and Sir Ronald Wilson,
plus entertainment There will also be a youth forum and exhibition based on
Rabbit Proof Fence, and a forum on the impact of removal policies on
children of the Stolen Generations. Contact: Rosalie Fraser and Ann Hunter,
0418 912 478 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In ADELAIDE, a BBQ will be held in Victoria Square (Tandanyangga) from 1pm.
Then a book of Nunga stories, poems, music and art will be launched at
Pilgrim Church, off the Square. Contact: Ivan Copley, 0413 431 246,
[EMAIL PROTECTED]; Sid Graham, (08) 8367 8904 or 0428 101 660 or Patrick
Byrt, Ph: (08) 8362 1199 or (08) 83442806
Contact for Journey of Healing in SA,
SA Chairperson, Rev Sid Graham (8367 8904)
c/- PO Box 4018, NORWOOD SOUTH, S.A. 5067
also [EMAIL PROTECTED]
_______________________
A d e l a i d e E v e n t N o t i c e
Sunday May 26th from 1PM.
Journey of Healing / Sorry Day 2002 Sunday, May 26
Begins with a BBQ in Victoria Square (Tarndanyangga) - contact Julia Pitman
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
After lunch, join us at Pilgrim Church, off the Square in Flinders Street.
Be part of the launch of a Nunga Book, Share in Stories, Poems, Music and
Art followed by a Nunga Fellowship 3.00pm to 5.30pm." - for further details
(and fliers) contact Ivan Copley, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide
Contact for Journey of Healing in SA,
SA Chairperson, Rev Sid Graham (8367 8904)
c/- PO Box 4018, NORWOOD SOUTH, S.A. 5067
also <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
_______________________
For more detailed information, see www.journeyofhealing.com or contact
Diana Plater: (02) 9389 6337, 0419 692 502, [EMAIL PROTECTED], also to
arrange interviews.
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