Whitehorse City Council will hold its annual Sorry Day flag raising at Nangnak Gardens Civic Centre in Nunawading on 26 May.
The free 30-minute ceremony begins at 1pm and marks National Sorry Day while opening Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June. A Wurundjeri Elder will lead the event alongside a councillor under the national theme All In.
Attendees can also attend a free screening of the film Journey Home: David Gulpilil at The Round on the same day. The ceremony moves indoors to The Round if wet weather strikes.
National Sorry Day has been observed since 1998 to remember the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. It specifically recalls the 1997 Bringing Them Home report rather than the 2008 Apology alone.
Reconciliation Week begins the day after Sorry Day. Residents who want to take part in local reconciliation activities can attend the flag raising and then stay for the film screening without any booking required.
The 30-minute event is a one-off annual occasion open to everyone in the community. Whitehorse pairs the ceremony with the immediate film screening, giving participants a two-part cultural experience on the same day.
Those planning to join should note that the flag raising happens outdoors at Nangnak Gardens unless rain forces a move to The Round. The short format suits people who want a simple public acknowledgement without a longer commitment.
Quick Facts
Whitehorse City Council
Local government authority serving the eastern Melbourne suburbs including Nunawading, Box Hill and Vermont. It runs community events focused on reconciliation, diversity and cultural awareness.