It's a day designed to remember the past and build towards the future.
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The Purfleet-Taree Local Aboriginal Land Council hosted a National Sorry Day ceremony earlier this week in Purfleet to reflect on historical mistreatment of Aboriginal people.
The ceremony was opened by the girambit wanggaliyn (Saltwater dancers) before CEO of the local land council, Joedie Lawler welcomed the audience.
Uncle Russell Saunders was one of the first people to speak about the significance of the day.
He said Australia must move forward with forgiveness and focus on reconciliation. "Reconciliation comes from within."
Taking part in his first National Sorry Day ceremony in Purfleet since becoming Biripi Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre chief executive officer, Robert Skeen highlighted the impacts on the children separated from their families throughout the 1900s, commonly known as the Stolen Generation.
"It's important for the young people of today to hear about it," Mr Skeen said.
Stolen Generation descendants Anne Harris and Leonie Delaney shared personal stories about discovering their heritage and connecting with family members.
Reconciliation comes from within.
- Uncle Russell Saunders
Before giving an emotional rendition of Archie Roach's Took The Children Away, Jaycent Davis said National Sorry Day is "a remembrance day we need to acknowledge" and he hoped both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people will continue to work together on issues affecting Indigenous people and recognition of National Sorry Day.
"We will forever remember the elders of the past," Jaycent said.
Leonie Morcome encouraged youth present at the ceremony to continue the tradition and spoke about former prime minister Kevin Rudd's 'Apology to the Indigenous Australian Stolen Generation' in 2008.
After the ceremony, cut-outs of hands were symbolically placed on an Aboriginal flag spray painted on the grass.
This was followed by an afternoon of activities including weaving and spear throwing. National Sorry Day was established in 1998 in light of the Bringing Them Home report.
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