Council acknowledges National Apology Day
- Details
- Written by: Beth Greenup Penrith City Council (02) 4732 7777 (02) 4732 7958 council@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au https://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au 601 High St Penrith NSW 2750 Australia
Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Penrith City Council today acknowledged the 11th anniversary of the National Apology to Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a ceremony at the Civic Centre.
On 13 February 2008, then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd delivered the National Apology to Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, in particular the Stolen Generations.
The Apology is a defining moment for Australia and was made in relation to past laws, policies and practices which have impacted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM said that Apology Day is an important reminder to everyone that we must continue to build on lessons from the past and work together for better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the future.
"Penrith Council celebrates the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and the invaluable contribution Penrith's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents make to our City", Cr Fowler said.
"In the spirit of the Apology made 11 years ago, Council's ceremony today is a powerful reminder that our community's future is shared between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Council and our community share the pain felt by those in our City who were separated from their family members," Cr Fowler concluded.
Link-Up was invited to speak at this year's ceremony. Link-Up NSW is an Aboriginal Corporation that was founded in 1980 to assist all Aboriginal people who have been directly affected by past government policies, including being separated from their families. Link-Up spoke about the important work they do and the very real impact past policies still have on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and peoples today, highlighting the continued importance of reconciliation initiatives and events like National Apology Day.
Photo caption (left to right): Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM (front left) pictured with guest speaker and Link-Up CEO Terry Chenery (fourth from left), Aboriginal special guests and invited guests for Penrith Council's National Apology Day ceremony.
Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 13 February 2019.