Reconciliation Week 27 May—3 June. Last Tuesday 26 May we celebrated Sorry Day. In future this day will be known as the Anniversary Day for the Bringing them Home Report which was tabled in Parliament in 1997. 13 February will be the new Sorry Day commemorating the National Apology of 13 February 2008. Today (31 May) at 11.00am at The Shrine there will be the annual Honouring Indigenous Men and Women Shrine of Remembrance Service.
‘Samson & Delilah’, a film by Aboriginal Director, Warwick Thornton, picked up the Audience Award at the Adelaide Festival, where it received a 5 minute standing ovation. The film is inspired by Thornton’s own experiences growing up on the streets of Alice Springs.
On the local scene: a May 26 event was organised by the newly formed Sunbury Indigenous Group. Members of this group have been invited to meet with the Social Justice Group to see how we can work together to support the Aboriginal people living in Sunbury today. Prior to our recognition of the traditional owners in 2002, we made contact with the late Norm Hunter, Wurundjeri Elder, who shared with us his own story and that of his ancestors on whose land we now live. We now have Aboriginal people who are living here in 2009 who we can learn from and share the journey of reconciliation.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 