WANGARATTA will host a special National Sorry Day workshop in partnership with local Indigenous Traditional Owners next week. The free cultural inclusion workshop will be held at Sydney Beach on Monday, 26 May at 10.30am. The event will be led by Anita Morgan (nee Cooper) and Kevin Cooper, children of Elder Uncle Wally, and will feature a smoking ceremony, traditional storytelling, and damper making. The workshop aims to deepen community understanding of Aboriginal history and the significance of Sorry Day. Anita and Kevin will share stories of the Stolen Generations, providing crucial narratives for truth-telling, healing, and reconciliation. These personal accounts will offer insight into the impact of history on the local community, honouring the resilience of those forcibly removed from their families. Through sharing these stories, Anita and Kevin hope to educate and foster empathy, ensuring the lasting effects of past government policies are understood and never repeated. By listening and acknowledging these stories, the community can demonstrate respect, promote mutual understanding, and contribute to a shared journey of healing. The impact of Sorry Day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to reconciliation. Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor, Irene Grant, encourages everyone to attend. "All are welcome to take part in this workshop led by Elder Uncle Wally's children Anita and Kevin who are proudly carrying his teachings of reconciliation into the future," she said. "It is a good opportunity to enhance the understanding of our history."
