14
February
2018
|
14:40
Australia/Melbourne

Reflecting on The Apology

The 10th Anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generation was marked with a breakfast at Parliament House. With a variety of powerful speakers, the occasion was a time to reflect, act and look to the future.

Among the speakers was one of Bupa’s interns, Natasha Ward, who had the privilege of giving a speech alongside Honourable Senator the Hon. Nigel Scullion, Bill Shorten, former Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd, the Chair of the Healing Foundation, Florence Onus and Michael McLeod, the CEO of Message Stick.

Natasha, who took part in the CareerTrackers intern program, gave a powerful speech about the intergenerational impact of the Stolen Generation, how she navigated high school, her path to her dream university course and her plans for the future.

She set a tone of unity and hope for the future, and the pride Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have in their unbroken culture.

The National Apology made in Federal Parliament on 13 February 2008 was a landmark event, as the first formal, national recognition of past atrocities to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders. Many Stolen Generations members felt their pain and suffering had been acknowledged for the first time and the nation perhaps better understood the need to right the wrongs of the past.

Carol Corzo, Bupa’s Head of Inclusion said, ”Natasha showed incredible courage speaking to an audience of Elders, survivors of the Stolen Generation and the many politicians in the room. She is a powerful orator whose authenticity in approach delivered important messages of inclusion, identity & belonging”.

The impact of Natasha’s words was evident with many Elders and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders approaching her with messages of support. Kevin Rudd referenced her in his speech.