On National Sorry Day, we asked some of our team members Emily, Christina and Melissa to reflect on the significance of this day and share their personal thoughts and reflections. “I remember where I was when I watched 'the apology' live. Feelings of both sorrow and hope were churning around in my mind and body. It was about recognition, validation, taking responsibility and telling the truth of our country's history of child protection practice and forced child removal. A reminder that without truth, validation, and acknowledgment there can be less space for healing.
National Sorry Day is also about resilience and hope. Honouring and learning from the courage and wisdom of the elders who were taken and their kin who forge their legacy and are the custodians of the future.
A reminder of our responsibility to always stand up courageously against discrimination and injustice. To reflect and to act."
Emily Boxhall, Facilitator, Trainer, Developer, Consultant, Social Worker
"For me, National Sorry Day is a significant and reflective time; the power of seeing and naming the pain felt by generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continues to resonate with me 25 years later. Sorry Day gives me opportunity to stop and acknowledge the powerful resilience of the oldest continuing culture in the world and reflect on the steps we have taken to try and reconcile the past hurt and trauma inflicted on Australia's First Nations people. It is also a reminder of how far we still have to go; systemic trauma continues to be experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children in 2024. Every Sorry Day I re-commit to working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues and partners to build trusting, respectful relationships and create opportunities for families and children to thrive."
Christina McLaughlin, Business Development Manager
"National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week provide an opportunity for us all to reflect on the role we play in connecting, respecting, acknowledging and listening to the voices and hearts of our First Nations people and learning how the atrocities of the Stolen Generation have impacted upon the oldest living culture in the world. At Social Care Solutions we take great pride in opportunities to be educated about the history of First Nations people, to walk side-by-side in understanding how we can support connection to culture in all facets of the work we do and herald the traditions, beliefs and lore of a culture who has been forced to defend their basic human rights for far too long. We stand side by side with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander friends, colleagues, neighbours and family; Now More Than Ever."
Melissa King, Operations Manager
Today, we come together to acknowledge the past and contribute to a brighter future.