Schools to receive Apology manuscript to commemorate anniversary

Almost 10,000 schools across Australia are receiving copies of the calligraphy Apology artwork to commemorate the first anniversary of the historic National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous people on 13 February.

The original manuscript, handwritten and painted by artist Gemma Black and donated to Parliament House, is held beside the Coolamon presented to the Government by the Stolen Generations in appreciation of the Apology.

All schools are receiving a copy of the Calligraphy Apology Artwork.

I hope that schools will mark the first anniversary of the Apology by permanently displaying the artwork in their school and incorporating it into their celebrations.

On 13 February 2008 the Prime Minister moved a motion of Apology to Australia’s Indigenous people with specific reference to the Stolen Generations.

The Prime Minister described it as an occasion for ‘…the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence in the future‘.

That day gave us the starting point and the impetus to re-cast the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians – harnessing the goodwill to build new partnerships based on mutual respect and responsibility.

The Apology prompted a new spirit of co-operation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to work together to make a difference to the lives of our most disadvantaged people.

ABC’s news program for kids, Behind the News, will present a special program marking the anniversary. It will be broadcast on ABC1 from 11.35am-12.00pm on 13 February 2009.

More information on activities to commemorate the first anniversary of the Apology is available at Reconciliation Australia website (www.reconciliation.org.au)