Shellharbour supports ‘sorry’

Helen Goltz

The Shellharbour community has supported the Federal Government’s apology to the Aboriginal community delivered last week in a historic broadcast from Canberra.

The mayor of Shellharbour City, David Hamilton, returned from Sydney during last week’s court case to participate in a flag raising ceremony.

Councillor Hamilton said he was proud and delighted to have joined local Elders and members of the Aboriginal community in watching the broadcast of the formal apology to the stolen generations.

The broadcast, viewed at council’s administration building, was followed by a flag-raising ceremony.

“The council has taken a leading role in working towards reconciliation, adopting a Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Australians in 1997,” Cr Hamilton said.

“Our Aboriginal Advisory Committee, formed in 1998, is a formal liaison point between council and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“I applaud the stance taken by the Federal Government in delivering this apology.

“Our council has a very strong relationship with local Aboriginal communities and the apology will serve to further enhance relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.”

Local community members added their support to the sorry day apology and the start of the reconciliation process.

Ian Rienits, Rector of St. Paul’s Anglican Church Shellharbour said it was a very welcome step.

“This is a step forward in the process of all Australians living and working closely together,” he said.

The Shellharbour branch of The Salvation Army declined to comment but Commissioner Les Strong said the apology opened the door for renewed hope for Australia.

The Catholic Bishop of Wollongong Peter Ingham said he hoped that formally saying sorry would unlock a great healing for the nation.

“Prior to reconciliation has to come recognition of our historical reality,” he said.

“May this apology be a genuine step that will free us to look objectively at the issues that we must address if we are all to live in peace with mutual respect.”