A dark chapter penned deep in Australia’s past met with a national acknowledgment that continues to help light the way forward.

First delivered in 2008, the National Apology to the Stolen Generations is widely regarded as a milestone step towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and is commemorated each year in communities across the country.

Shepparton is no exception.

At the William Cooper Memorial Statue, the Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group will host its annual Apology Breakfast on Friday, February 13, marking the 18th anniversary of the historic address.

Co-convenor Dierdre Robertson said the anniversary remained deeply significant for the local community and the nation as a whole.

“(There is) ongoing trauma from that removal of children,” she said.

“Many lost their connection or struggled to find a connection to family and culture — and some never found their way back home.

“We need to acknowledge the truth of it and do more to lessen those impacts.”

The Apology Breakfast will feature a smoking ceremony, a light breakfast and coffee, live music, guest speaker Tarli Dean-Atkinson and a minute’s silence.

Local primary and secondary schools will be represented at the event, with ASHE students acting as emcees and All Saints Anglican College students reading the National Apology.

All members of the community are encouraged to attend.

“Come with an open heart, listen to the stories and learn,” Ms Robertson said.

“If you’re not sure about it, just come along with curiosity.”

The Apology Breakfast is on Friday, February 13, starting at 8am, at the William Cooper memorial statue, corner of Nixon and Welsford Sts, Shepparton, Yorta Yorta Country.

To register, visit tinyurl.com/4du6pk4x

For more information, contact Dierdre on 0417 398 158 or Bobby on 0434 279 653.

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