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Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 5:31pm and last updated
Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 8:30pm.
National Sorry Day - Blackwood Reconciliation Walk 2025
The walk starts at 11:30 AM at 358 Shepherds Hill Rd at the Gladstone Road Car park (on the corner of Gladstone Rd and Shepherds Hill Rd) and extends down the footpath, culminating at the Colebrook Reconciliation Park (See map of walk on Google maps) where the official event will commence at 12:30 PM as outlined below.
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Description
The Blackwood Reconciliation Group extends a warm invitation to you, your family and friends to join us at our annual Reconciliation Walk, held on National Sorry Day, Sunday May 25th 2025 from 11:30am - 2pm.
WHAT IS THE EVENT ABOUT? Held on National Sorry Day, Sunday May 25 2025, 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. National Sorry Day is held to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations survivors and reflect on how all Australians can all assist in healing. 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.
THIS YEAR’S WALK MARKS The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us. In the #NRW2025 theme artwork created by Kalkadoon woman Bree Buttenshaw, native plants − which are known for regenerating after fire and thriving through adversity − symbolise our collective strength and the possibilities of renewal. This is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together.
THE PROGRAM OF ACTIVITY: Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country followed by: Musical entertainment from Glen Skuthorpe, Sonia Smith and Kenny Wilson. Listening to former residents and their descendants address the crowd. Listening to Community and political leaders Contributing to a Community Art installation activity Singing or stories by local primary school choirs and kindergartens from Belair, and Eden Hills Child friendly workshops and activities including, playing bush games and Knucklebones (historically these were played by former Colebrook Children’s Training home residents) Listening to the former residents’ stories on the listening posts and sharing the space with their descendants Sausage BBQ, coffee and donuts, or BYO food This project is proudly supported by the Healing Foundation, the Electorate of Boothby Stronger Communities Grant program and the City of Mitcham.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING? Participants are invited to wear clothes or bring banners/flags that support the National Sorry Day theme and are encouraged to wear appropriate clothes for the weather (wet weather gear if needed), and bring a picnic rug, sunscreen and water. Food and water will be available onsite or you can BYO picnic.
HELP PROMOTE OUR EVENT We would appreciate your support to extend our invitation to your staff and community by: * Sharing our Blackwood Reconciliation Walk Facebook Event invitation on social media or creating your own post with our social media event graphic (see below) * printing and putting up our poster in your local workplace or community (see below) * Emailing your colleagues, friends and family using our brief event summary with the Blackwood Reconciliation Walk Facebook Event invitation * Including a blurb in your local newsletter