13 February marks the 13th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations by the Australian Government.
The Apology was a significant step towards healing from our country’s past and each year on 13 February we stand together as a nation to remember, honour and pay respects to the Stolen Generations - to those who made it home, to those still searching and to those who rest in the Dreaming.
On this day, we reflect upon the injustices inflicted upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the hands of the Government and continue to grieve the ongoing hurt and damage this has caused.
Commemorating the Apology gives us the opportunity to pay our respects to all Stolen Generations. It provides survivors with a voice and tells them that they have not been forgotten as we come together to honour the strength and resilience of our people and communities.
The National Apology is a major event in Australia’s history that should be commemorated like any other historical day in this country. It serves as a reminder that for the Stolen Generations, it still isn’t over. We are still bringing our mob back home – there is still a lot of healing to do.
Link-Up Victoria provides support to the Stolen Generations, helping them to find and reunite with family, reconnect to culture, proudly walk their Country and reclaim their Aboriginal identity.
These reunions help create connections to family, culture and Country that encourage healing and gives survivors a sense of who they are and where they belong.
This is a profoundly healing experience for many of the Stolen Generations mob we work with. We've reunited people with family who have waited for years for them to come back home.
- Bev Murray, Link-Up Victoria Program Manager
Through commemorative events, development of educational resources about the Stolen Generations to support truth-telling in schools and universities, and the placement of markers in cities and towns across Victoria we can continue to encourage conversations about the nation’s history and acknowledge the trauma faced by those who continue to feel the impacts of being removed from family, culture and Country.
Learn more about Link-Up Victoria’s services, and how they can support you:
Visit: linkupvictoria.org.au
Freecall: 1800 687 662
Call: (03) 7002 3700
Email: linkup@vacca.org