At Batemans Bay Public School we commemorate Sorry Day each year by holding an assembly and doing activities that involve the whole school.
A tree is also planted in the grounds of Batemans Bay Public School each year to recognise National Sorry Day. Unfortunately some of these trees were not thriving due to soil and drainage issues.
The deputy principal at the time, Mrs Nichole Williams, applied for funding from the school budget to have a special garden designed, along with signage, to create a place where the trees could flourish.
Mrs Williams is an associate member of the local Walbanga Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) and received the AECG’s full support for her project.
Every class in the school and every staff member helped to decorate twenty-five stepping stones, which were placed in the Waranganj Garden. These stones signify the steps the Nation is taking to help the Stolen Generations to move towards healing.
After our Sorry Day assembly on 27 May 2015, the Waranganj Garden was opened. The Dhurga word waranganj means boomerang, and signifies the Stolen Generations being taken and then finding their way home.
This year’s tree was planted by Walbanga Elder Aunty Rita Davis and local Community member Mr Barry Fernando.
Many have helped to create the garden, which pays respect to the people of the Stolen Generations. This rebuilt garden sends a message of strength, growth and healing to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders taken from their families. A special thank you to Mrs Nichole Williams for her hard work and her vision.
A selection of photos from the day
