To be held on Thursday 26 May at Monash Park in Shepparton, the event will see a commemorative ceremony and wreath laying, along with the ceremonial raising of the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian flags. Community members are invited to attend the ceremony to reflect upon our past and demonstrate their commitment towards achieving reconciliation.
In 1997 the Bringing Them Home Report was tabled in Federal Parliament, on the day now known as Sorry Day. Sorry Day is now commemorated nationally with thousands of Australians from all walks of life participating in memorial services, commemorative meetings, survival acknowledgements, and community gatherings to acknowledge the Stolen Generations.
Mayor, Councillor Kim O’Keeffe said Sorry Day was an important event on the calendar for all Australians, encouraging residents to visit Monash Park on Thursday for the commemorations.
“This year’s commemoration provides our community with the opportunity to understand the past and encourage positive conversations to lead the future,” she said.
“Join us this Sorry Day as we pause to remember and acknowledge the Stolen Generations and the pain and suffering endured by individuals, families and communities over so many generations. I encourage everyone across Greater Shepparton to reflect on what the day truly means.”
The 2022 Greater Shepparton Sorry Day commemoration event has been organised in partnership between the Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative, Greater Shepparton City Council and the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation.
This year’s ceremony will be hosted by student leaders from each of the secondary schools across Greater Shepparton. The ceremony marks the beginning of Reconciliation Week activities in our region, which runs from Friday 27 May to Friday 3 June.
Event details – 2022 Sorry Day commemoration and flag raising
Date: Thursday 26 May, 2022
Time: 10.10am
Location: Monash Park, corner of Welsford and Fryers Street, Shepparton