Nearly three decades on, the call for change continues: The time for action is now

The 29^th National Sorry Day was marked by thousands of people across the country, in many events hosted by Stolen Generations Organisations, and community and volunteer organisations. 

Guided by this year’s theme, From Sorry to Action, we honoured the strength of Stolen Generations survivors and reflected on what meaningful action looks like in supporting healing for survivors. The Healing Foundation staff joined communities across the country to mark the day, attending events grounded in remembrance, resilience and connection.

The Healing Foundation supported organisations across Australia to host commemorative events with grants through our Collective Healing Grants funding program. This funding enabled organisations across the nation to create activities that fostered community connection, supported cultural healing practices, and provided opportunities to acknowledge the ongoing impacts of the Stolen Generation.

Commemorations for National Sorry Day each year is one of the 6% of recommendations of the Bringing them home report (1997) that has been actioned, and remains an ongoing commitment, 29 years later.

Standing with Stolen Generations survivors across the country

Where possible, The Healing Foundation staff attended grants funded events to stand in solidarity with survivors and Stolen Generations organisations, and to strengthen local connections with those supporting survivors on the ground.

In Brisbane, events included the Link-Up QLD 2026 Sorry Day Breakfast on Turrbal and Jagera Country on 22 May, where The Healing Foundation staff laid a wreath at the memorial plaque, to honour and connect the survivors and descendants.

Other events included Teralba Park Stolen Generations Support Group ceremony and Wynnum National Sorry Day Ceremony at Breakwater Park (Quandamooka Country).

South Australia’s significant Sorry Day gathering was hosted by Nunkawarrin Yunti at Yitpi Yartapuultik on Kaurna Country, with Chair of The Healing Foundation Professor Steve Larkin (Kungarakan) addressing the crowd to talk about the action plan released by The Healing Foundation earlier that day and the urgent need for governments and others to finally address the harm inflicted on survivors, their families and communities.

Western Australian events included a Stolen Generations Organisation memorial by Yokai in Perth Western Australia, and the Kimberley Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation event.

A special gathering was commemorated by Sister Kate’s Home Kids Aboriginal Corporation, at the Sister Kate's Children's Cottage Home bush block in Queens Park, Perth. The event centered on truth-telling, reflection, and community healing.

Woolkabunning Kiaka Aboriginal Corporation hosted a significant community event for National Sorry Day on the grounds where the former Roelands Native Mission Farm took place in Western Australia. Survivors shared personal histories and experiences connected to the sites past.  

In Naarm (Melbourne), on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, the Federation Square National Sorry Day event 26 May — delivered in partnership with Connecting Home, Link-Up Victoria, VACCA, the Koorie Heritage Trust and the City of Melbourne — brought the community of Melbourne together for a powerful day of reflection.

On Dharug Country in Western Sydney, Link-Up NSW created a space for reflection and gathering for survivors and Community, while Coota Girls held a picnic event and hosted a fundraising gala dinner.

In Mparntwe (Alice Springs), on Arrernte Country, the launch of This Is Our Story — a survivor visual documentary — was held alongside a visitation to the St Mary’s site with survivors and descendants. The Healing Foundation Deputy CEO Leonie Williamson spoke about the From Sorry to Action Plan, launched in Canberra that day, and its role in strengthening the pathway from truth-telling to action.

At the Action Plan launch at Parliament House on Ngunnawal Country, CEO Shannan Dodson highlighted the need for sustained commitment to address long-standing policy gaps. The launch highlighted survivors calls for change that have remained unfinished for three decades.

“We just don’t have another generation to wait. There’s already too much pain, and we have a real opportunity here to make change,” said Ms Dodson.

Whilst also in Canberra, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services Sorry Day event drew a large crowd.

Across Australia, the call continues beyond a single day, with the urge to action ahead of the 30^th anniversary of the Bringing them home report in 2027. Reflection alone is no longer enough.

Learn more about The Action Plan and National Sorry Day:

https://healingfoundation.org.au/what-we-do/from-sorry-to-action/#governance-and-accountability

https://healingfoundation.org.au/news-events/news/posts/statement-record-grants-rounds-award-23-million-to-support-stolen-generations-healing-and-commemorative-initiatives/

https://healingfoundation.org.au/news-events/news/posts/survivors-call-for-urgent-move-from-sorry-to-action-at-parliament-house-on-national-sorry-day/

Photos from Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services National Sorry Day event