Sorry Day 

26th May 2009

We knew when the sun came out on Tuesday that this was going to be a special day at the Stolen Generations Memorial, Mount Annan for the 2009 celebration of Sorry Day.

The day started at Liverpool Regional Museum with morning tea and the flag raising, with about 200 visitors for the day the museum and the Liverpool Council did well to put on a lovely Devonshire tea for those in attendance.

A 100 children and teachers from Kingswood Park and Lethbridge Park schools were in attendance and had the opportunity to attend the wonderful event, thanks to funding from the Stolen Generations Alliance.

The celebration at the museum included speeches from the Mayor of Liverpool Council and George Fisher, George gave a moving welcome in his traditional language this was followed by local school children who performed a graceful aboriginal dance to the enjoyment of those present    

Following the flag raising a delegation of busses and cars found their way up the highway to Mount Annan where the Lions Club had set up a marquee with a bbq that provided drinks and a sausage sizzle for the kids and elders, this was partnered by the Council, coupled with the SGA funded input of salads, chickens, nibbles, fruit and desserts, the day was in all a day to remember as one of the best Sorry day events held in SWS yet.

The day was finalized by a moving candle ceremony at the monument, and a speech by Auntie Val Wenberg  and SGA Delegate Mary Hooker, with the laying of a beautiful sheaf of native flowers and the children putting down wonderful cutouts of their hands around the base of the monument the scene was set for a beautiful memory of a great day

With everyone commenting on such a great effort by the partnerships of Council, Lions, SWSSGSP and the SGA next year promises to be even better

We would like to complement the organizer Tony Scholes (Community Development Worker) for his fantastic flexibility in allowing us to “butt in” and take over the event at the last minute, although Tony has been in this position a few short weeks he showed how wonderful, partnerships can work with the local council and the community if there is the concern and welfare of the community at heart……….. Well done Tony    

Well done Liverpool council we will be working with you from now on for next years Sorry day event !

Flag raising at the Liverpool Regional Museum