MANDURAH MAYOR: SORRY DAY IS A MOMENTOUS OCCASION

Mayor Creevey said the apology was a truly momentous occasion and one which Aboriginals and many non-indigenous Australians would never forget.

“Mandurah Councillors and staff have strongly supported reconciliation and saying sorry is an important part of this.  What has happened in the past has to be acknowledged before moves can be made forward,” Mayor Creevey said.

“I agree with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s view that this is a new beginning, a first step for indigenous and non-indigenous Australians to work together and build a brighter future where there is a ‘fair go’ for all.”

About 60 people attended a special breakfast in the Council’s Tuckey Room to watch the broadcast from Parliament House to the nation, including more than 20 local Aboriginals.

Winjan Aboriginal Corporation Spiritual Elder Harry Nannup and the corporation’s Chairperson John Kelly, who were both taken from their parents at a young age, also spoke briefly at the breakfast about what the Prime Minister’s apology meant to them.

Mr Nannup said it meant a lot to him even though he had mixed feelings about it all.

“I really appreciate that people like Mayor Creevey and others in this community continue to work with local Aboriginals to make things better – I can’t see us going backward with this support,” he said.

John Kelly said he and other Aboriginals associated with the local Winjan Community Centre also had mixed feelings but had to look at the positive side and would like to keep working with Mandurah Councillors and staff.

“We’ve made a start because over the past two years we’ve been included in the Australia Day ceremony where we raise the Aboriginal flag at the same time that the Australian flag is raised,” he said.

“We are here today to show that we want to work together, but we also want to get Aboriginal culture back on track.”

RELEASE ENDS

15 February 2008