During last year’s ceremony, as Uncle Huey Whyman reflected on his personal experiences during the Stolen Generations, a gust of wind blew through the Indigenous and First Nations flags, knocking down the Australian flag. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
To mark 17 years since Kevin Rudd delivered the national apology to Australia’s First Nations people, Wagga Wagga City Council will hold a commemorative event at Wollundry Lagoon.
To be held as an occasion of reflection, the event will feature stories and words from local Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri and First Nations elders on Thursday, 13 February, at 10 am.
The council’s Aboriginal community development officer Michaella Alexander said the event had been developed closely with the community and was an important day for reflection and healing.
“It’s vital to pause and reflect,” Ms Alexander said.
“This moment marked a powerful acknowledgment of the historical mistreatment of the Stolen Generations and demonstrated the profound impact of an apology.
“Honouring the Stolen Generations, remembering past injustices and coming together to heal are essential steps in the reconciliation journey. We invite everyone to join us and learn more about this important part of our shared history.”
The event will begin with a Welcome to Country by local elder Aunty Dorothy Whyman, followed by a cleansing smoking ceremony, youth cultural dancers, and reflections from elders on the path of healing.
The event serves as the launch of the Resettlement podcast, dedicated to sharing local stories of resilience, connection and cultural strength within the Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri and First Nations community.
The project has been made possible because the Museum of the Riverina was successful in securing a $50,000 Community Heritage grant from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to research and record local Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri and First Nations oral histories.
“This podcast marks an important step in preserving and sharing the stories of First Nations communities in Wagga Wagga,” museum manager Luke Grealy said.
“It’s an enlightening and deeply emotional series, carefully curated with the invaluable contributions of Aunty Dorothy Whyman, Uncle Hewitt Whyman, Luke Wighton and museum volunteer Moyra Shields.
“These oral histories that have been produced as part of the podcast series include interviews with local Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri and First Nations families who were part of the resettlement scheme to Wagga Wagga in the early 1970s.
“Many of these residents went on to contribute toward the establishment of a wide range of services for the local Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri and First Nations community in the city, including Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri Childcare, Riverina Medical and a local branch of the Aboriginal Legal Service.”
For more information about National Apology Day 2025 in Wagga Wagga, visit the city council website here.
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