More than 300 people gathered at Shepparton's Queens Gardens Thursday morning to mark the 12th anniversary of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's National Apology to the Stolen Generations.
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Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group co-convenor Deirdre Robertson said she believed it was the largest turnout since Shepparton's first Apology Breakfast anniversary in 2009.
Guest speaker Mooroopna-born Lena-Jean Charles-Loffel delivered a passionate account of her experiences working at a grassroots level with Indigenous health promotion organisation Spark Health in Preston, Melbourne.
Ms Charles-Loffel said Indigenous children were being removed from their families at an even higher rate today than during the Stolen Generations episode.
“Children are still falling through the cracks and being removed at an even higher rate than before,” she said.
“It makes me feel so lucky to know who I am and to be connected to my mob and my country. There are still many who are suffering because of the Stolen Generations.”
She said more opportunities needed to be provided for young Indigenous people to step up into leadership roles.
“We need to start holding the narrative,” she said.
“Our non-Aboriginal allies are important but we need Aboriginal people to lead the way.”
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Seema Abdullah challenged everyone to do more to understand the history and struggles of Indigenous people.
“I challenge you all to read the the Uluru Statement From the Heart and understand the concept of white privilege,” Cr Abdullah said.
“I challenge you to imagine the hardships caused to the Aboriginal people since colonisation.”
Mrs Robertson urged Shepparton people to support and join local Indigenous community organisations such as Rumbalara Football Netball Club and Kaiela Arts.
“Find out, ask questions, become involved,” she said.
“I also urge you to ask our politicians why only two out the seven targets in our Closing The Gap report have been met.”
During yesterday's breakfast Indigenous singer Lily Walker, 14, delivered a moving performance of two songs in Yorta Yorta language including the well-known Ngarra Burra Ferra.
