The discomfort and truth of National Sorry Day

On the 26th of May in 1997, twenty-nine years ago, a report was tabled in our Federal Parliament. The report was called Bringing Them Home. Over the preceding two years, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission had carried out a national inquiry into the historic government policies that forcibly removed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, communities and culture. The Bringing Them Home report was the result of that inquiry.

The report shone a spotlight on the fact that, for decades, in each State and Territory, it was official legislated government policy to systemically remove Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children from their families. These children were placed in institutions and in foster homes. These children have become known as ‘the stolen generation’.

The impact of these historic government policies has been, and continues to be, devastating. The trauma of childhood separation, combined with widespread abuse of the vulnerable children, has created chronic mental and physical health problems, financial insecurity, housing instability, loss of identity, and intergenerational trauma.

These policies did not belong to one particular political party, or to one particular law, or to one particular moment in time. This was our country, our government, our people. As made clear in the Bringing Them Home report, this is part of our national story.

It is not the case that these policies and practice all came from ill intent. It is not the case that those who carried them out were all maliciously motivated or intended harm. It is not the case that we should stand at this point in history and condemn the Australians that have gone before us, as though we would never have done likewise. The intentions of our forebears are less important than their actions. And their actions caused harm and pain and suffering to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, at the time, and ever since.

One of the recommendations in the Bringing Them Home report is that there should be an annual national day of remembrance and public apology. On 26 May 1998, the inaugural National Sorry Day was held, as it has been since. 

Acknowledging it reminds us – government and citizens alike – that healing remains to take place, and that we have a role in bringing healing.

During National Reconciliation Week, we reflect on how we all can contribute to the broader challenge of shaping a just, equitable and reconciled society. However, on National Sorry Day we take the time to sit with the discomfort of knowing that our nation has wronged these generations who were stolen. For this, we are sorry.

Tim Bowden | Headmaster