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Geelong Deanery |
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Chilly NightWarmed by Sincere Hearts on ‘Sorry Day’The evening of ‘National Sorry Day’, Tuesday, 26 May, was a chilly one; and the absolute still in the air seemed to indicate that nature had paused in silence lest she miss anything of what was about to happen. Despite the coolness of the air, the atmosphere at Rippleside Park was a warm one – warmed not so much by the huge central bonfire and the smaller peripheral fires, but rather by the warmth of the hope in the hearts of the four to five thousand participants, a hope that this initial step would culminate in complete reconciliation with our Aboriginal brothers and sisters. During the day, a small band of people, under the leadership of Fiona Ray from the Council for the City of Greater Geelong, had worked hard to have everything in readiness for 4.00 pm. Tents had been set up to house displays, information, artefacts and the ‘Sorry Books’ so that they were all easily accessible to the people. Alongside the display of Aboriginal art works was a tent from which ‘Aboriginal tucker’ was served all evening, never running out in spite of lengthy queues of hungry people! Aboriginal dance round the fire to the accompaniment of didgeridoos and drums early in the evening, as well as an Aboriginal concert after the official part of the program, brought great delight to the spectators. During the official ceremony, Wendy Brabham (guest speaker on behalf of the Aborigines) called upon people from the crowd to come forward and speak their own words of apology to the Aboriginal elders. Councillor Jarvis (Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong), Monsignor James Murray and Rev. Barry Abley (representatives of the churches), and Clare Kinnane (representative of the One Fire Reconciliation Group) acknowledged the sufferings white people had inflicted on Aborigines in the past and urged us to move on to take positive steps towards reconciliation in the future. The mayor then presented to the Aboriginal elders the ‘Sorry Books’ from the people of Geelong. For me, one of the most moving moments occurred when we gathered round the big fire after the official ceremony. We paused for a minute of silence, to listen to a number of people expressing their feelings to the whole group, and then to turn to the person on either side of us and express our own sorrow and regret. On my right was a child in a primary school uniform and after I had spoken, she said, ‘Yes, I feel sorry too. I only hope I can help make things better in my lifetime.’ Sr Genevieve Fitzpatrick |
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