Local schools in Melbourne’s north now have the opportunity to commemorate the Federal Government’s apology to the stolen generations.
City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Elizabeth Nealy, said Council is offering every one of the 74 schools within the municipality an indigenous tree to be planted in honour of the historic event.
“Many schools paused to watch the Prime Minister’s recent apology and have, in their own way, included this significant moment in Australia’s history in their school curriculum,” she said. “While the City of Whittlesea issued its own apology to the stolen generation in 1998, we believe the Federal Government’s actions mark another important milestone along the road to reconciliation.”
Letters have now been sent to principals across the municipality, offering each school an indigenous tree to be planted in memory of the Federal apology in February. The trees are the allocasuarina verticillata, also known as the Drooping Sheoak.
Whittlesea Councillor John Fry said he is grateful that his fellow Councillors have supported the idea.
“Planting these trees will be an ongoing reminder for future generations about the important role this national apology plays as part of the healing process,” he said.
Supplier of horticultural services to the City of Whittlesea, CityWide, will donate the trees.
