To commemorate National Sorry Day, Wagga will unveil a reconciliation monument today to pay respect to those impacted by forced removal policies.
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The annual day is held to remember the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Wiradjuri Elder, Aunty Isabel Reid, spearheaded the process to have the monument installed.
“I approached the mayor and I went to one of the committee meetings and I told him what I wanted,” she said.
“When I was asked what I would like to see, I told them I’d like to have a plaque and a rock because it’s part of our country.
“Last year, I went out with the mayor and the mother lady and picked the rock out.”
Now the time has come for the project to be unveiled, Aunty Isabel said the day is about remembrance and healing.
“It’s really lovely the day is here,” she said. “It’s for all the Aboriginal boys and girls who were forcibly removed and it’s about remembering, healing and reflecting on those days.
“We were little children, it’s important to move on, heal the wounds and look to a better future.”
By having a physical tribute of the day, Aunty Isabel said, it will allow visitors to learn about the nation’s history.
“We have a lot of tourists that come through and they hear about the history, but now they can understand and they can learn,” she said.
“It’s also for our descendants so they know what happened and how we changed.”
The monument, a large rock cradling a commemorative plaque, will be unveiled at the Wollundry Lagoon at 10.30am and members of the public are invited to attend the event.
Wagga City Council mayor Greg Conkey said the day provides a chance for people to come together in the healing process for the Stolen Generations.
“Today many of these stolen generations live in our community, now as our Elders,” he said.
“As a testament to their strength and their stories, the community is invited to join me in the unveiling of the Sorry Day Rock, which has been put in place to honour and recognise this history in our city and our country.
“On behalf of Wagga Wagga City Council I hope through acknowledging National Sorry Day each year together, we aide healing and emotional wellbeing for individuals, families and communities across the country.”