National Sorry Day 2025
26 May 2025 marks the 28th anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing them home report in the Australian Parliament in 1997 and commemorates Stolen Generations survivors.
The Bringing them home inquiry was a landmark truth-telling process, bringing to light the extent of Australia’s Stolen Generations history, and sharing this with the nation.
In 1997 the report made a series of recommendations to go some way in righting these past wrongs, yet almost 30 years on many crucial actions have not been taken.
A Healing Foundation report released earlier this year – Are you waiting for us to die? The unfinished business of Bringing them home – found only 6% of the Bringing them home report recommendations have been clearly implemented
A generation on, we have already lost many Stolen Generations survivors. Those who are left are ageing. The urgency of acting now, to support elderly survivors in their last years and decades, cannot be overstated.
We cannot wait another generation
The theme for this year, We cannot wait another generation highlights the urgency of acting on priority Bringing them home recommendations in 2025:
- Most survivors are eligible for aged care but are faced with an aged care system which often re-triggers the trauma of institutionalisation
- Western Australia and Queensland are yet to introduce any redress schemes, and other state and territory schemes are flawed
- Many survivors and families still don’t have access to their records
- The incredible organisations that support survivors on the ground are often either volunteer-run or receive project funding only, which doesn’t allow for the workforce and organisational investment needed to build and retain organisations and staff.
The Healing Foundation recommends a National Healing Package of urgent changes to enable remaining ageing survivors to live out their days with dignity.
A comprehensive and coordinated response is required from all sides of politics, all levels of government, police, churches and others with responsibilities to support the Stolen Generations.
Across the nation, a third of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are descended from Stolen Generations. In some States and Territories, descendants make up more than half of the population.
During May, The Healing Foundation supports a number of community National Sorry Day activities to draw attention to the ongoing importance of Sorry Day, and the pressing contemporary needs of Stolen Generations survivors.
Resources:
Can you help us spread the word?
We have created a series of social media posts for supporters in a downloadable social media kit to use across their own social media channels from Wednesday 14 May 2025. The kit includes a campaign explainer and 4 social tiles and captions for sharing. We have also created a colouring in sheet for the young and young at heart available for download below.
We’ll also share videos and Sorry Day content across our channels during May, using the hashtags #unfinishedbusiness and #bringingthemhome. Please give us a share, like or comment if you like what you see.
National Sorry Day Fact Sheet 2025 Download the Sorry Day Colouring in Sheet
Download the social media kit here Download the Zoom Backgrounds here
Facebook: @healingfoundation
Instagram: @healingourway
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-healing-foundation/
National Sorry Day webinar
Join us for the National Sorry Day 2025 Webinar — a time to reflect, learn, and stand in solidarity with Stolen Generation survivors.
Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM AEST
Location: Online (Webinar link provided upon registration)
This year marks 28 years since the Bringing them home report was tabled in Parliament — a powerful truth-telling moment that called for justice. This year the message is clear: We cannot wait another generation to act on the priority Bringing them home recommendations in 2025.
Be part of this important conversation, led by The Healing Foundation CEO Shannan Dodson (Yawuru) alongside Stolen Generations survivors Ian Hamm (Yorta Yorta) and Aunty Yvonne Mills (Kokatha/Mirning).
Together, let’s honour truth, support healing, and commit to meaningful change.
Register here: https://shorturl.at/yLX6l
National Sorry Day events 2025:
Please see below a collection of National community events recognising National Sorry Day. This list will remain a work in progress. If you would like your event to be included, please fill out the form and submit it. The form is available at the end of the page.
Australian Capital Territory
National Sorry Day Bridge Walk
The Healing Foundation is proud to partner with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service for the return of the National Sorry Day Bridge Walk on
Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country.
Everyone is invited to join the community for the Bridge Walk, the event will include a Smoking Ceremony, Schools Banner Competition, food, entertainment and more.
When:10:00am for a 10:30am start, Friday 23 May 2025
Where: Meet at Regatta Point, Parkes, ACT ( Corner of Barrine Dr)
New South Wales
Blackett
Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council and Marrin Weejali National Sorry Day Event
Address: 79-81 Jersey Road Blackett NSW 2770
Time: 9.30am – 2pm
Activities: breakfast, cultural activities (basket weaving, possum skin designs, traditional Aboriginal healer), Bush Tucker BBQ Lunch with Aboriginal celebrity chef Mark Olive
Link-Up Victoria, the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency, and Connecting Home invite Stolen Generations survivors and their families, community members and others interested in joining us on Dja Dja Wurrung Country to commemorate National Sorry Day 2025.
Kiama
- Aboriginal Flag raising
- Welcome to Country
- Council’s welcome speech
- Stolen Generation story telling
- Smoking Ceremony.
Monday, 26 May 2025 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Further information can be found here.
Newcastle
NSW/ACT Stolen Generations Council Sorry Day in Awakabal/Newcastle
Join the NSW/ACT Stolen Generations Counci alongside the Awakabal Aaboriginal Medical Service for a luncheon and entertainment.
When: Friday 30 May 2025 I 11:00am-3:00pm
Where: 64 Hannell Street, Wickham
RSVP to June by Wednesday May 21 on (02) 8201 0290 or 0436 964 804.
Nowra
National Sorry Day Event
This event is a powerful day of remembrance, resilience, and unity, acknowledging the history of the Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home, one of the earliest Aboriginal children’s homes in NSW. The event will acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation.
Bring along a picnic lunch or enjoy a sausage sizzle, and stay for a yarn after.
Everyone in the community is welcome to join the event! While tickets aren’t required, it’s kindly asked to register your attendance. This helps manage numbers and catering.
Date: Monday 26th May 2025
Location: Nowra Showground – Added Area (Bottom field)
Meet: 9:30am | Walk begins: 10:00am Harry Sawkins Park, Nowra
For further information and to register click here.
Parramatta
Join us for a day of acknowledgement, reflection and healing. Observe National Sorry Day by learning the stories of the Stolen Generation and reflecting on the importance of acknowledging historical trauma.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and civic leaders will honour the significance of National Sorry Day at a gathering with a Welcome to Country, a Smoking Ceremony, traditional dance and words from local community knowledge holders.
Parramatta, being a city with a rich Aboriginal history and culture, is an important location for observing this significant day.
Further information can be found here.
Redfern
NSW/ACT Stolen Generations Council
Join us for a traditional ceremony to honour passed Survivors and their descendants. Stay for lunch cake and live music as we gather in rememberance with community.
When: 11:00am – 3:00pm Monday, 26 May, 2025
Locations: 119 Redfern Street, Redfern, NSW
RSVP to June by Wednesday May 21 on (02) 8201 0290 or 0436 964 804.
Shalvey
Cooee Festival
The COOEE Festival is a Link-Up (NSW) event based in Western Sydney that promotes and celebrates Aboriginal Australia’s survival and resilience
The highly anticipated COOEE Festival is set to return in 2025, bringing a vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture, community, and connection to Western Sydney. This free community event will take place on Saturday, 24 May 2025 at Peter Van Hasselt Park, Shalvey, NSW (entry via Koomooloo Crescent) and promises an unforgettable experience for attendees of all age
We also encourage Non-Indigenous people to attend and take the opportunity to experience and learn Aboriginal culture. The festival features market stalls, food trucks, art exhibitions, live music, Indigenous guests, kids world, elders tent and more. For further infor visit the Cooee Festival website.
Sydney City
Coota Girls Home Sorry Day Stolen Generations Community Gathering 2025
When: 10:00am-2:00pm Sunday 25 May 2025.
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Gadigal Country
Grand Concourse, Central Station
Join the NSW/ACT Stolen Generations Council alongside Transport NSW for a Honouring the Stolen Generation at a Ceremony on Platform 1 Central Railway Station. The ceremony will take place at a at Platform 1 of Sydney’s Central Station by Transport for NSW. This plaque serves as a memorial for Aboriginal children who were forcibly removed from their families and communities and who arrived at Central Station as part of their journey to institutions or other locations.
When: 10:00am-11:00am I Friday 30 May 2025
RSVP to June by Wednesday May 21 on (02) 8201 0290 or 0436 964 804.
Wagga Wagga
National Sorry Day Commemoration
Light refreshments will follow the official proceedings.
The Sorry Day Rock, located in the Wollundry Lagoon precinct, was unveiled in 2018 to commemorate the children sent to the Cootamundra Girls Home and Kinchela Boys Home where they were taught farm labour and domestic work.
For further information click here
Wellington
NSW/ACT Stolen Generations Council
Join with the NSW/ACT Stolen Generations Council and the Wellington Aboriginal Medical Service for lunch/tea/cake and sing-a-longs for all to enjoy
Woollongong
Hosted by the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service.Join us for Sorry Day 2025!
We’re holding a Sorry Day event on Friday 23rd May at our CST building – 355 Keira Street, Wollongong.
It’s a time for reflection, storytelling, connection and truth-telling with our community. Come along, have a yarn, and stand with us in honour and respect.
Victoria
Ballarat
The City of Ballarat, Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative, Cafs and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and members will stand together for a commemorative flag-raising event and minute of silence for Ballarat Community, one and all to mark the impact to Stolen Generations, community and Country and the tabling of the Bringing them home report in 1997.
Morning tea, Sorry Day craft and Yarning Circle will follow the flag-raising.
When: 9:15am Monday 26th May 2025.
Where: 106 Armstrong St, BADAC Market St Flagpoles. Further information and other local Ballarat events can be found here
Ballarat
Sorry Day Craft and Activities Sessions
All are welcome to join Lenka (Yawuru), Jane Marini (Noongar) and Shaqiera Cartlege (Wadawurrung) for a free community craft and yarning circle in preparations for Sorry Day with flower craft activities and yarning circle at Ballarat Library.
When: 12noon – 2pm, Thursday 15th and Thursday 22nd May
Where: Ballarat Central Library long table
Ballarat
All are welcome to a free photo exhibition of images from The Taken photo book provided by ally and author David G. Jones Panel Event 10am Monday 26th May
Survivor Uncle Murray Harrison hopes that exhibitions and books such as this will support people to be better educated about Australian history and to not repeat such horrors.
The book includes images and content relating to and by several Victorian Aboriginal community members including those of Aunty Charmaine Clarke, Uncle Murray Harrison, Peter Kennedy Jnr and Jack Goodes.
When: 10am Monday 26th of May – 4th June 2025.
Where: BADAC Tree Room, 108 Armstrong St Ballarat Central
Bendigo
When: Monday 26th of May 2025. Registrations open at 10.30am.Event commencing at 11am to 12.30pm.
Where: Dja Dja Wurung Country, at Djaara, Larnangurrak (our place) site. 43 Hattam Street, Golden Square, Bendigo VIC 3555.
Shepparton
Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group invites all community members to join this Sorry Day as they pause to remember and acknowledge the Stolen Generations and the impacts of those policies that caused such pain and suffering to individuals, families and communities over so many generations.
When: Monday 26 May 2025, please arrive at: 10.10am
Where: Monash Park – cnr Welsford St and Fryers St, Shepparton Yorta Yorta Country
For further information click here
South Morang
Join Elders, community members and the city of Whittlesea to honour and respect the Stolen Generations with a commiseration ceremony featuring a guest speaker, a minute’s silence and a Sorry Walk. A BBQ and light refreshments will be provided. Click here to register your attendance
When: Doors will open at 10am with official proceedings beginning at 11am, Monday, 26 May, 2025
Location: Great Hall, Civic Centre, 25 Ferres boulevard, South Morang, Victoria
Wantirna South
Knox City Council will be observing National Sorry Day on Monday 26 May with a ceremony to be held around the Yarning Circle at Knox Civic Centre from 10am.
The ceremony brings together Stolen Generations members and descendants, our First Nations community, and the broader community for a morning of truth-telling and healing.
Join us to as we recognise 20 years of acknowledging Sorry Day at the Knox Civic Centre.
Please register your attendance by close of business Friday 16 May.
If you are a member of the First Nations community there is always room for you to attend, please register your interest with Adrian Greenwood.
Click here for the registration link and for further information.
Queensland
Brisbane
Graceville
Benarrawa Community Development Association
Event: Annual Sorry Day Ceremony
When: Monday 26 Mayu 7:00-8:30am
Where: Graceville State School, 164E Oxley Road, Graceville
Link-Up (Qld)’s annual Sorry Day breakfast
Join Link-Up (QLD) for breakfast at the site of the former Cranbrook Aboriginal Girls Home, as they honour the resilience of Stolen Generations survivors and descendants, and show our support for their ongoing healing. This year’s event will feature inspiring guest speakers and moving cultural performances.
When: 8am-10am on Friday 23 May 2025
Location: Cranbrook Place in Orleigh Park. West End (Brisbane).QLD
Further information including event flyer can be found here.
Teralba Park National Sorry Day 2025
All welcome and you might want to bring a flower to place at the plaque.
Inala
Inala Flexible School Sorry Day March
Organisers: Inala Flexible School and Inala Wangarra
Address: Inala Civic Centre, 156 Inala Avenue, Inala Qld
Time: Meet before 10am to march from 10am
For further information visit the event page here.
RSVP: for catering purposes Tannille.Law-Douglas@flexi.edu.au
Western Australia
Albany
Broome
Kimberly Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corp
All ages event with live entertainment, food and stalls
When: 10:00am-2:00pm I Monday 26 May 2025
Location: University of Notre Dame Hall, Broome
For more information contact the Kimberly Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corp on (08) 919 36 502
Burswood
Yorgum – Healing Day event
If you are a member of the Stolen Generations, you are welcome to join for a Welcome to Country, lunch and refreshments and healing activities.
When:9:30am-2:00pm 4 June 2025
Where: Burswood on Swan, 3 Camfield Drive, Burwood
RSVP by May Tuesday 27 May ph: 9428 3700
Perth
Yokai – Healing Our Spirit
When: Monday 26 May 2025
Location: Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square Perth
Morning Tea on arrival
11am: Yarn for Stolen Generations Survivors and families
12pm:Welcome to Country
12.10pm:Sorry Day Commemoration on the Main Stage with short videos and panel discussions
1.pm Smoking Ceremony at Stolen Generations Memorial
1.15pm Lunch
2pm Finish
Click here to register your attendance
South Australia
Adelaide
The Blackwood Reconciliation Walk is an important community event uniting and connecting Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in commemorating the Stolen Generations and marking the start of National Reconciliation Week which runs from 26 May to 2 June. A full outline of the program, as well as details of the walk location and map is listed below. The walk will honour and amplify the voices of many former residents of the Colebrook Training Home for Aboriginal Children and celebrate future opportunities for Reconciliation.
Berri
Riverland National Sorry Day Event
Northern Territory
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress
When: Monday 26 May 2025
Where: Alice Springs (NT)
Darwin
NT Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation 28th Anniversary of National Sorry Day
When: Tuesday 27th May 2025
Where: Silks, Darwin Turf Club
Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820
Time: 10am – 3pm
Format: Significant Event & Free Buffet
Katherine
The Katherine Stolen Generations Group invites community to their National Sorry Day with a community movie screening followed by reflection and discussion.
BYO chair, please RSVP for catering purposes fnt.katherine@flinders.edu.au
When: Monday 26 May 2025 I 10:30am-12:30pm
Where: Healing and Reflection Garden, Katherine Museum. 20 Christie Rd, Katherine NT
Malak
Northern Territory Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation
Lunch and gathering for Stolen Generation survivors at Malak Community Centre.
Location: Malak Community Centre, 13 Malak Cres, Malak NT
