Assembly for Apology Day

Ettalong Public School held a special school assembly on Friday, February 10, to commemorate and honour Apology Day.

The school invited members of the local Aboriginal community to attend and Ms Kylie Cassidy opened the assembly with a Welcome to Country address.

Wiradjuri woman Aunty Anita who is also an Aboriginal elder of Mingaletta spoke about her experience of attending Apology Day on the February 13, 2008, when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said sorry to the Aboriginal people of Australia.

Aunty Anita repeated the words of Kevin Rudd's historic apology and shared the emotional atmosphere she experienced down in Canberra.

She said that as Kevin Rudd said sorry tears started streaming down her face.

She said she remembered looking around and feeling embarrassed but much to her surprise, much of the crowd was also crying quite openly.

"It was a very emotional day," she said.

Following Aunty Anita's talk, the children created a sea of hands.

Each child had traced around their own hand and many had painted their hand in Aboriginal colours and designs.

Each hand was mounted on a paddle pop stick.

"It was quite a moving experience to see all the children involved," said principal Mr Colin Wallis.

"The children may not fully understand what it's all about yet.

"However, all our children are learning about our indigenous history and culture and we are working towards creating mutual understanding and respect."

Media Release, 15 Feb 2012

Rowena Newton, Ettalong Public School Photo: Rowena Newton