Journey of healing and sorry day 2002

Key events for this year's Journey of Healing 2002 and National Sorry Day 2002, from John Bond, organiser

Launch of the film 'Rabbit-Proof Fence'

'Rabbit-Proof Fence' is a major international film. It has sold more pre-release copies across the world than any other Australian film. It will open in Australia this month. The more people who see it, the more will Australians understand the forgotten side of our history - and understanding is the first step to healing.

The film is deeply stirring. People will want to know how they can help overcome the continuing ill-effects of the removal policies. The Journey of Healing offers everyone a chance to do this. This year we could see many more towns and suburbs arranging Sorry Day events to hear from those whose lives have been affected. Or you may have other ideas. In 1998, one person decided to create Sorry Books, and they now contain the names and messages of nearly a million people. Think what might happen this year! If we can
help, please do be in touch.

Sorry Day 2002
Two aims have emerged for this year's Sorry Day on 26th May. Firstly, to take the Journey of Healing to rural and remote areas. These are the areas where racism is often harshest, and where the stories of removal have been
heard least. The social disruption in many of these areas shows how desperate is the need for healing. Last year we reached out to some rural areas, and found an enthusiastic response. In some places, Aboriginal communities organised their own Journey of Healing events.

This year has been proclaimed the Year of the Outback, with the aim of building a bridge between urban and outback Australians. If the Australian community can understand the impact of the removal policies on the people who live in the outback, that will build the bridge.

As a start, some of us plan to visit remote areas and inform them about the Journey. In Queensland Link-Up is opening an office in Cairns, which will give them the chance to reach that area. Our co-chair, John Brown, will visit Brewarrina, Bourke and Wilcannia in early April, and hopes that someone can come with him. We will develop further ideas in the c oming weeks, and we would welcome yours.

The other aim was given by Carol Kendall who, until her death last month, was a patron of the Journey. She urged that we use this year to help the Australian community understand the effect of removal on the children of those removed.

We feel that, above all, this will happen through offering both young and old the chance to tell their stories. 'Our young people need hope,' co-chair Audrey Kinnear says. In some universities, groups are already planning commemorations of Sorry Day, and our Committee members are exploring how universities might link up nationally in this.

Sorry Day this year is a Sunday, and many churches will mark the day. Sunday is also a day for football, and several people, including Senator Aden Ridgeway, are contacting AFL teams to ask them to commemorate the day at their matches. In past years local governments have done a lot to
advertise and mark the day. We hope this will happen again.

Already our State Committees are developing programmes for 26 May. In Melbourne there will be a major event at the Aboriginal Advancement League.

In Brisbane they are organising school programmes on their theme, 'People's stories, people's journeys'. In Tasmania there will be an all-day programme at Risdon Cove. In Sydney there will be a family event at Parramatta Park, and they intend to raise funds for the Stolen Generations memorial garden being developed at the Mount Annan Botanical Gardens. In Canberra there will be a walk across Commonwealth Bridge, followed by a massive barbecue in
Commonwealth Park, at which the main speakers will be Lowitja O'Donoghue and Tim Costello. In many towns and cities, groups are now meeting to plan events. We will update our website - www.journeyofhealing.com - regularly with these events.

Bringing Them Home seminar

We also intend to keep the focus on the Bringing Them Home report, since few of its recommendations have yet been implemented. If they were implemented wholeheartedly, we would see a transformed situation. Dr Peter O'Brien is
researching its implementation, with the aim of drawing up a document for a seminar which we will hold in Canberra later this year. If you have information which could help him, please could you contact him on 0413 735 095 or peterob@hotlinks.net.au.

Sincerely,
Bernadette Anderson
January 2002

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