At Reconciliation South Australia, we often encounter complaints about acknowledgment of the Stolen Generations, especially around apology day, many of which are racist in nature. A common argument we hear is that there are also the 'Forgotten Australians', implying that their experiences are overlooked in favour of First Nations issues.

It's crucial to recognise that both the Forgotten Australians and the Stolen Generations have received formal apologies for the injustices they faced, representing significant milestones in Australia's journey towards reconciliation and healing. The apology to the Stolen Generations took place on February 13, 2008, while the National Apology to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants was delivered on November 16, 2009

Then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered the apology to over 500,000 Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants who experienced abuse or neglect in institutional care. The ceremony, held in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra, addressed what Rudd called an "ugly chapter in our nation's history". He expressed profound sorrow for the physical suffering, emotional starvation, and absence of love endured by these individuals during their time in care.

The apology stated, "We come together today to deal with an ugly chapter in our nation's history... To say to you, the Forgotten Australians, and those who were sent to our shores as children without your consent, that we are sorry". This acknowledgment aimed to validate the experiences of Forgotten Australians and promote emotional and psychological healing.

Following the apology, the Australian Government committed to providing support services, including compensation, emotional support, and family history research assistance. The government also pledged to work with the National Library of Australia and the National Museum of Australia to record these stories, ensuring that future generations would have a solemn reminder of the past.

It's important to reflect on its continued significance.

It's essential to remember that both apologies represent crucial steps towards acknowledging past wrongs and fostering healing in our nation. They should both be a form of unification, through similar injustices suffered by two groups.

As a society, we should strive to recognise and respect the experiences of all groups who have suffered historical injustices, without diminishing the importance of one group's experiences in favor of another. 

Our goal should be to work towards reconciliation, and unification, not division, however, those that make racist comments often aren't looking for unification in the first place.

By acknowledging these complex chapters in Australia's history, we can foster a more inclusive and compassionate society that values the experiences of all its members and works collectively towards a future of reconciliation and understanding.

But also, acknowledging these histories is not a competition; it is an opportunity to collectively reflect, learn, and ensure that all those who suffered past injustices are remembered with the respect and recognition they deserve.

Rather than dismissing or undermining the efforts of Aboriginal people to remember, honor, and memorialise the Apology to the Stolen Generations, Those that take issue with this, could encourage all Australians to do the same for the Apology to the Forgotten Australians, delivered on November 16, 2009. 

Learn more at APH website.

Learn more at the National Museum of Australia.