Sorry Day

Today is a great day in Australia's history.

I turned on the telly, meaning to put on a Barney DVD for J, and caught the beginning of the live telecast of Kevin Rudd's much anticipated apology to Aboriginal Australians and the stolen generation.

"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry."

"To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry."

"And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry."


"As Prime Minister of Australia, I am sorry. On behalf of the Government of Australia, I am sorry. On behalf of the Parliament of Australia, I am sorry. And I offer you this apology without qualification."

Mr Rudd said he hoped today's apology would open a new era in Australian history.

"We have had sufficient audacity and faith to advance part way to that future, with arms extended rather than with fists still clenched," he said.

"Let us allow this day of national reconciliation to become one of those rare moments in which we might just be able to transform the way in which the nation thinks about itself.

"For the nation to bring the first two centuries of our settled history to a close ... and embrace with awe these ancient cultures which we are blessed, truly blessed to have among us."

It was a tremendous, powerful, amazing moment.

The camera showed images of crowds in Canberra, Sydney and Adelaide watching the big screen outdoors. Among them were Aborigines, who cried and hugged each other as old hurts were finally acknowledged.

When the Prime Minister finished his address to Parliament, the Speaker asked if the motion would be accepted. A chorus of "Yea" went up, then applause and a standing ovation for a politician who dared to be different.

This rare display of political courage, compassion and decency makes me feel so proud to be living in Australia at this time.