Thirteenth Anniversary of the National Apology

This year commemorates thirteen years since the National Apology, which formally apologized to Australia’s Indigenous peoples, particularly to the Stolen Generations whose lives had been blighted by past government policies of forced child removal and Indigenous assimilation.

Baptist Care SA was privileged to sponsor and attend the 2021 Reconciliation SA Apology Breakfast on Friday 12 February. 40 Baptist Care SA staff, board members, clients and community partners came together at the annual event hosted by Reconciliation South Australia.

It was a morning of emotion and recognition of the Stolen Generation.

Jayde Marsh, FLO Case Manager, NESPN Community Learning Centre was one of our attendees.  She shared the following:

“This morning I was extremely lucky to be invited to attend the Anniversary of the National Apology to the stolen generation annual breakfast. The feeling in the room was like no other – full of pain, remembering, togetherness and connection. I feel privileged to have sat in that room today and experience, learn and continue to gain more of an understanding.

Today I was lucky enough to capture a moment with Frank Yamma, a Pitjantjatjara man who is one of Australia’s most significant aboriginal songwriters, and was able to listen to such extraordinary talent this morning. Thank you Reconciliation SA and the organisation I work for Baptist Care SA for this extraordinary experience. Something I will never forget!”

The National Apology remains a momentous turning point that demonstrates the importance of historical acceptance in paving the road to reconciliation. You can read the transcript of the Apology or learn more about this significant step in reconciliation.

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Baptist Care SA, lives, works and walks on Kaurna, Peramangk and Boandik lands. We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the state’s first peoples, recognise their traditional ownership, and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs, deep connection and continued guardianship of land and waters. We value the contributions of Elders past and present, and are committed to learning from those emerging.