Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM is calling on the community to add their voice to the important cause of Aboriginal healing and reconciliation this National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week.
Blacktown City Council marked National Sorry Day on 26 May with a community ceremony at Nurragingy Reserve to remember the terrible mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities.
Mayor Bleasdale said, “Sorry Day calls on us all to reflect on the injustices experienced by ‘The Stolen Generations’ and provides an opportunity for us to come together to ensure they are never repeated.
“It is an important day to acknowledge and remember a dark time in Australian history and also reflect on the role we each play in promoting healing.
“This week we also mark National Reconciliation Week, which is time to celebrate the meaning of reconciliation and the building of mutual and respectful relationships with First Nations people.
“During Reconciliation Week, we are called on to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation and focus on how important it is for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements.”
Mayor Bleasdale said the occasion was especially significant in Blacktown City, which is home to the largest urban population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in New South Wales.
“As Mayor of Blacktown City, I am extraordinarily proud of our Indigenous history and heritage and Indigenous Australians have an enduring connection to this beautiful region known today as Blacktown City,” he said.
“Council is committed to reconciliation and has a Reconciliation Action Plan to guide our work in this space.
“I encourage you to take time during Reconciliation Week to find out more about our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.”
