Catholic Education Western Australia is committed to supporting Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week which this year runs from 27 May – 3 June.

CEWA encourages a deeper understanding of our national story which is in keeping with this year’s National theme “Don’t keep history a mystery: Learn. Share. Grow”.

All members of our community are invited to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories, to share that knowledge and help us grow.

CEWA is taking part in a number of events throughout National Reconciliation Week, including public events and our own.

Sorry Day

A Sorry Day event in the Archdiocese of Perth is being organised by Bringing Them Home WA. Held at Yagan Square, it will include performances and speeches.

Saturday 26 May, 10am-12pm, Yagan Square, Perth

For more information please visit https://bringingthemhomewa.com/

Monday Mass

Mass will be held at the Catholic Education Centre on Monday 28 May. During the Mass prayers will ask that wrongs of the past may be recognised, that awareness of the journey so far be awakened, and that the Spirit will move Catholics to walk the talk and see through what has been started.

Following Mass, staff will be encouraged to gather around the reflection pond where Director of Governance and Administrative Services Ed Simons will formally launch CEWA’s Reconciliation week activities.

As part of the launch, those attending will be invited to place a native hibiscus flower, the official symbol of Sorry Day, on the lawn. Each flower will represent Aboriginal children who were forcibly removed from their families as part of the Government’s assimilation policy. The exact total number of Aboriginal children who were forcibly removed is unknown, but many thousands of families Australia wide were affected.

Kerosene Tins and Love Hearts Exhibition

CEWA is partnering with the Dumbartung Aboriginal Corporation to bring the Kerosene Tins and Love Hearts exhibition to the Catholic Education Centre in Leederville for the duration of Reconciliation Week. The exhibition includes photographs and paintings documenting the experiences of the Stolen Generations in the south west of our state.

The exhibition will be located in James Nestor Hall, and school groups and members of the public will be invited to visit. Curator Robert Eggington will be presenting a keynote at the conclusion of the week, which will also be open to visitors.

Monday 28 May – Friday 1 June, Catholic Education Centre, Leederville. Please email Vynka.Malone@cewa.edu.au for more information or to register a group.

Aboriginal Veterans Service

A service will be held at the State War Memorial in Kings Park to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal veterans. Dr Sue Gordon AM, Patron and President, Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation will be speaking at this event.

Wednesday 30 May, 10am, State War Memorial, Kings Park, Perth

Walk for Reconciliation

All members of the public are invited to join Reconciliation WA’s 2018 Walk for Reconciliation around Elizabeth Quay.

Participants will have opportunities to learn and celebrate the Noongar Culture and contribution, with information on the Noongar six seasons told by Peter Farmer and performances activated through Urban Indigenous.

1 June, 12:30pm – 1:30pm, Elizabeth Quay, Perth. Visit Reconciliation WA’s Facebook event for more.

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