National Sorry Day commemorated in council

Tears were shed in council chambers on National Sorry Day as the community gathered to forge a path towards reconciliation.

About 30 people met at Orange City Council today for an emotional ceremony, a number Mayor John Davis lamented was not closer 1,000.

He said it was the responsibility of Orange residents to stand up, speak up and engage with all members of the community.

“Today on Sorry Day, the council reaches out on the pathway towards reconciliation and it is important to pause to remember the past policies of forced child removal,” Cr Davis said.

“Here, we reflect on the sad and painful history of the Stolen Generations and recognise moments of resilience, healing and the power of saying sorry.”

National Sorry Day is an annual event, since 1998, to commemorate the mistreatment towards Aboriginal people under government policies, which resulted in the Stolen Generation.

Orange Aboriginal Community Working Party deputy chair Gerald Power said those gathered in the room had loved ones who experienced the hurt and suffering of previous government policies first hand.

“For those loved ones who’ve actually experienced it they’re just sad, it’s still too hard to talk at this point in time,” he said.

But he called on the Aboriginal community to rally together and remind all why it was important to mark days like National Sorry Day.

“It’s up to us to never be silent,” he said.

“We continually say these days are special to us and we want to tell you why these days are special to us.”

Mr Power said the council had shown its leadership in working towards reconciliation in ways such as employing Aboriginal staff members to engage with the Orange Aboriginal community.

Jordan Moore, Orange City Council’s Central West Aboriginal Engagement Officer, is one of those staff members who started in his position in January.

“I love it,” he said.

“I love seeing the difference you can make.”

WORKING TOGETHER: Orange Mayor John Davis, Orange Aboriginal Medical Service staff member Tracey Carnie and Orange City Council's Central West Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer Jordan Moore.