Our customer Maureen, a proud Wiradjuri woman, and the SGCH Aboriginal Reference Group for South West Sydney marked Sorry Day at The Hub@Bonnyrigg Dhanawi, acknowledging the strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors and their families.

Aunty Fay Clayton-Moseley told her story, in an act of resistance: “This is truth telling, people must know what happened.”

A Stolen Generations Survivor, she was taken from her family by the authorities when she was only 10 years old, to live in the Cootamundra Girls Home where she spent the rest of her childhood, separated from her family.

Despite extraordinary adversity and being told she was of “nil intelligence”, she went on to make a career of nursing and then in the Australian Public Service. Today Aunty Fay is an artist, with works in major Australian museums and galleries.

“Painting is healing. It helps me heal my past hurts. My painting tells the stories of each and every one of the traumas we’ve been through.”

In this picture, she holds a work she made at the time of the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s Apology. He is featured as a superhero, cutting the metaphorical barbed wire which set her free. Today, she worries that too many First Peoples are still being taken away from their families.

Family mementos, images of First Nations soldiers as well as peg dolls, the makeshift toys of stolen Cootamundra Girls, were all a reminder of the true history of Australia.

In a joyful moment, local young people welcomed visitors to Country, followed by Bonnyrigg Public School’s Marrabang Wagagee dance group performing a traditional dance. The day ended with a stirring performance by Maureen’s daughter: “They took the children away, snatched from their mother’s breast, this is for the best, they took their children away”.

It was an emotional day. Family members, friends, SGCH staff and community members joined together in a show of support.

Thank you to Maureen, Aunty Fay and your family for sharing your story. We were honored to listen and learn and be with you on a healing journey together. Watch Aunty Fay on ABC iView here.

SGCH has endorsed its first Reconciliation Action Plan, building the foundations for stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As National Reconciliation Week got underway, SGCH teams took the time to reflect on how we can individually and collectively contribute to a more just, respectful and united Australia.