Stolen Generation symposium hears truth telling is key to community moving forward as Aboriginal allies

A panel of Aboriginal elders gave emotional accounts of their experiences as members of the Stolen Generation at a National Sorry Day symposium at Albany Entertainment Centre on Monday.

The event was staged by the Southern Aboriginal Corporation and the Great Southern Aboriginal Health Service and attracted a wide audience of community members, Aboriginal elders and stakeholders.

SAC chief executive Asha Bhat said the aim of the event was to acknowledge the courage of the Stolen Generations, their pain and their resilience.

“This event is a safe space, it’s about truth telling and healing and the elders sharing their lived experiences.

“For the wider community, it’s about listening, learning and standing in solidarity with Aboriginal people.

“Reconciliation starts with truth telling, so we must acknowledge and come together without forgetting about the history.

“The overwhelming presence of those at the event shows reconciliation is not too far away and that we can all walk alongside the Aboriginal people as allies.”

Panellists Gary Ryder, and brothers Timothy and Ezzard Flowers had been taken to the Carrolup Settlement, later known as Marribank, near Katanning, as children.

They explained that conditions there were harsh but it was the separation from their families at such a young age that meant eventual reunifications were made even more difficult.

Ezzard had been taken there when he was just two years old, after his father died.

“It was difficult to reconnect with home, with country, with family and with those who were no longer there,” he said.

“They were terrifying times.”

His brother Timothy said it was time to move forward.

“Sharing stories is part of the healing process,” he said.

“We came through that challenge on our own, as children.

“But now we can move forward together because walking together is better than walking alone.”