The Apology concert – 5 Years on – Heal our Past, build our future

Thousands of people gathered on the lawns of Parliament House to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the National Apology.

“The Apology – Five Years On – Heal our Past, Build Our Future” was presented by the Healing Foundation on 13 February to celebrate the significant milestone through music and dance performances.

Healing Foundations Chair, Charles Passi and Indigenous Affairs Minister, Jenny Macklin opened the concert.

“The Apology to Indigenous Australians, and in particular to the Stolen Generations, was one of the most significant events in our history,” Minister Macklin said.

“As a nation we came together to recognise and apologise for the suffering of people who had been forcibly removed from their culture, their homes and their families.

“Again, today, people have stood together across Australia, to commemorate the anniversary of that Apology,” Minister Macklin said.

Hosted by Christine Anu and Mike Carroll, the evening began with a warm Welcome to Country by Auntie Matilda House, followed by moving musical performances by Maria and Daniel Williams.

Chair of the Healing Foundation Charles Passi, and former Chair of the Healing Foundations Stolen Generations Committee, Auntie Florence Onus formally addressed the crowd, recognising the event as a wonderful chance to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Apology with the community, and acknowledge the Stolen Generations survivors and their families around the nation.

Mother of two, Beth Parker said the Apology concert was about bringing the whole community together and was the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people needed.

“I think the Apology had a lot to do with Stolen Generations and people feeling like they had no support, but I am so happy that this country is now paying attention and working towards a better future and a better nation for all,” she said

Stolen Generations member, Deborah Hocking said being at the Apology concert five years on was just as great as being at the Apology five years ago.

“As a Stolen Generations survivor who had fought for an apology for over 10 years, the Apology was very important. I think we look at the importance of it and not only what it means to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people but also to the mainstream,” Deborah said.

“I think it was an honesty call of what’s happened in our past and the sorrows and hurts and grief that we’ve experienced from that so the Apology for me, sitting in Parliament watching that happen for me, was a great day as is being here today.”

Legendary Aboriginal singer and songwriter, Archie Roach headlined the night with the Black Arm Band, along with performances by Microwave Jenny and the Last Kinection, entertaining the crowd late that night.