National Sorry Day

Message from His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia 

I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the boodja (land) on which we reside, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation, as well as the traditional custodians of land across Western Australia. I pay our respects to elders past and present, and to emerging leaders, as we walk with them on a journey of reconciliation.

25 years ago, the first National Sorry Day was held. A day that encourages us to reflect on and acknowledge the impact of colonisation on our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and understand its ongoing effect on their communities and culture.

The 26th of May each year is a day to remember those who were forcibly removed from their families, to recognise the extreme pain and trauma this has caused, and to stand in awe at the strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors and their families.

It is crucial that this day, and every day, we must heal, grow and work together to foster a united future. One that is built on a foundation of truth.

In April this year I was immensely proud as Governor to initiate the permanent raising of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at Government House, and to pay my respects to the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

We are so privileged to share this land with our First Nations people. Let us embrace this history, connect and celebrate it, and move forward together.

Learn from the mistakes of the past, do all we can to help replace the hurt with healing, and always use this day to remind ourselves that we can, we should, and we will do better.

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