National Sorry Day Event 2026

National Sorry Day Event Nowra

Date: Tuesday, 26th May 2026

Location: Harry Sawkins Park, Nowra

Time: 11am - 2pm

National Sorry Day is a powerful day of remembrance and resilience. It acknowledges the history and ongoing impacts of the Stolen Generations, as well as the significance of the Aboriginal Children’s Home in Bomaderry and the lasting effects this has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families, and community.

This event honours the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and invites all of us to reflect on the role we can play in healing, for Aboriginal people, and for our nation as a whole. Nowra’s Annual Sorry Day Event warmly welcomes all members of the community to come together in remembrance, reflection, and unity.

Due to the growing number of attendees, safety considerations of the bridge, and the impact of recent weather disruptions, this year, we will gather at Harry Sawkins Park for a community event focused on connection, reflection, and shared understanding.

While the format has evolved, the meaning and spirit of the day remain unchanged.

Since its establishment in 2001, the National Sorry Day Walk has drawn thousands of participants to Nowra, and in recent years, this event has seen over 1,000 participants. Local Aboriginal Communities, non-Indigenous communities, school children, government, and non-government organisations, and groups from up and down the South Coast, all unite for the event

Inspired by the historic Walk for Reconciliation, these gatherings reflect a shared commitment to truth-telling and acknowledgement of the 1997 Bringing Them Home report, which documented the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The idea of “walking together” continues to guide this event, bringing people together in a spirit of respect, reflection, and reconciliation.

Together, we will gather for a day of:

• Community connection
• Storytelling and reflection
• Cultural dance and music
• Commemoration of our shared sorrow and strength

Commemorative Activity

While we are not walking across the Nowra bridge this year, its symbolism remains an important part of the day. Attendees are encouraged to cross the small bridge over the pond as they arrive, as a quiet, personal gesture of reflection, honouring the spirit of walking together and bridging the gap.

You are also invited to take part in a special community artwork. Create your own commemorative flower as a symbol of support for Stolen Generations Survivors. You can:

· Print a template from our website, or

· Pick one up from the Jane Ardler Centre

Bring your decorated flower on the day and add it to our shared commemorative garden artwork, creating a collective display of reflection, respect, and unity.

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Host or Publisher South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation