National Sorry Day- Aunty Colleen’s Story

“Kaya, hello and good morning to everyone.

“My name is Colleen Wheelock. I’ve been asked to give a talk about the anniversary of the National Apology Day and the official event that I attended in 2023 in Canberra with three first generation Yorgum Linkup clients a couple of years ago.

“Before I do talk about the National Apology Day and the effect it had on me, I will tell you a bit about myself.

“I am a Wadjari Badimia Yamatji woman born on Mellenbye station which is in the Midwest between Morawa and Yalgu. I am the middle child of 12 children and eight of us, not one or two were made wards of the state on the 20th of May 1968 when I was 8 1/2 years old.

“This meant that the government were the legal guardians of myself and my siblings siblings until the age of 18 years. We were put into Pallottine Mission, Tardun and later I was to attend the Pallottine Training Centre at Rossmoyne.

“Before I continue, it got me thinking about that day when Kevin Rudd made the apology. I was working in education at the time and a colleague of mine said let’s watch the speech in the staff room. As Kevin Rudd began to speak, I could feel my body start to get a bit tense and said no, I have to go back to my classroom.

“Once I got to my room I just began to cry not knowing why.

“When I got home that night and watching the news, I began to cry again. I was not sure why this was happening. I then thought I did not think it would have such an effect on me.

“Was I happy that he said sorry and why? I asked myself.

“I know that I felt sorry for all the elders that had gone before me and what they had to put up with, including my father, his sisters who were put into New Norcia mission and my grandmother who with her younger children at Mogumber.

“Now that time has gone on, I realised that having the Prime Minister at the time say sorry meant that he was acknowledging the grief and loss injured by Aboriginal families and acknowledging some of the wrongdoings of the past.

“It was also a step forward in the healing journey for Stolen Generations.

“Now getting to the trip to Canberra, it was fantastic to be able to share the few days with other Stolen Generation people from all around Australia and to be involved with the events that were planned. I guess one of the highlights for me was meeting both Kevin Rudd and Anthony Albanese and having a photo taken with them. Another highlight was being in the same room with the survivors at one of the official events where attendees were greeted by a local traditional owner with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony and listening to the great speakers like Linda Burnie, Senator Patrick Dodson and Pat Turner. Then seeing traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dancers.

“I felt proud and privileged to be part of the Stolen Gen who got to go to the National apology celebration in Canberra.

“I believe that there is still a long way to go in supporting the solar generations, e.g. improving access to health and healing services to meet their needs, improved aged cares. We’re talking about people now in their 60s and above. Maybe assistance in obtaining affordable housing.

“I guess receiving repatriation is welcome even though it does not compensate for the loss of family, language and culture. How do you compensate for the time being spent apart from family and having to be sent to white families to be integrated into their culture while missing out on your own?

“In finishing off, I would like to say a big thank you to Yorgum Linkup for for providing events like this for us to continue in our healing journey.

“Once again, thank you to all the staff at Linkup”.