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Apology to the Stolen Generation
CCC recognises and respects Indigenous people as the custodians of the land. CCC published a formal apology to the Stolen Generations in 1997 and we welcome the apology by the Australian Parliament delivered on 13 February 2008. Click here to download our Statement of Apology (PDF Document 14kb).
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| CCC staff celebrate the formal apology by the Australian Parliament |
We were also pleased to co-sign the lead letter to The Age newspaper on 13.2.08 with VCOSS and forty other community organisations, hailing the apology as an important step towards achieving greater equity.
An apology, from all of us
The Age - February 13, 2008
The apology to be given by the Federal Parliament today is a momentous step forward for Australia. It has been a long and tortuous journey to this point, but now we are stepping forward as a mature nation.
Saying sorry provides a powerful and symbolic first step towards healing and towards achieving improved outcomes for indigenous peoples. We endorse Mick Dodson's comments that the apology establishes a platform to build on - a beginning to help address the issues that exist across indigenous Australia.
We believe that the next steps must include meaningful engagement of indigenous communities.
As community sector organisations, we are committed to walking alongside Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and indigenous peoples, families and communities so as to achieve greater equity. We are committed to giving true meaning to saying sorry.
Cath Smith, Victorian Council of Social Service; Ray Cleary, Anglicare Victoria; John Ryan, Anex; Jill Webb, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation Victoria; Diane Sisely, Australian Centre for Human Rights Education; Shayne Quinn, Australian Education Union; Sandie de Wolf, Berry Street Victoria; Lois Young, Binnap Partners, Broadmeadows UnitingCare; Tony Nicholson, Brotherhood of St Laurence; Mark Clarke, justice unit, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne; Charles Balnaves, Catholics for Australian Reconciliation; Coleen Clare, Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare; Sue Clarke, Bendigo Community Health Service; Barbara Romeril, Community Child Care Victoria; Jan Ashford, Communication Rights Australia; Deb Tsorbaris, Council to Homeless Persons; Michael Smith, Eastern Community Legal Centre; Sue Medson, Family Care; Robin Inglis, Fitzroy Legal Service; Troy Austin, Fitzroy Stars Football Club; Ailsa Carr, Family, Youth and Children's Services, Gippsland Lakes Community Health; Michael Yore, Good Shepherd Youth & Family Services; Damein Bell, Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation; Julie Edwards, Jesuit Social Services; Meredith Carter, Kindergarten Parents Victoria; Leanne Miller, Koorie Women Mean Business; Linda Beilharz, Women's Health Loddon Mallee; Adele Murdolo, Multicultural Centre for Women's Health; Frank Hytten, Reconciliation Victoria; Jill Carr, Span Community House; Dave Pugh, St Luke's Anglicare; Robyn McPhee, Tarerer Gunditj Project Association; Jodie Willmer, The Travellers Aid Society of Victoria; Frank Guivarra, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service; Sam Biondo, Victorian Alcohol & Drug Association; Len Clarke, Graham Atkinson and Robert Nicholls, Victorian Traditional Owner Land Justice Group; Mary Crooks and Dur-e Dara, Victorian Women's Trust; Judy Leitch, Wesley Mission; Kim Stowe, WAYSS Housing & Support Services; Liz Curran, La Trobe Law and West Heidelberg Community Legal Service
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