Sorry Day + Reconciliation Week 2026 in Pittwater
Sorry Day 2026
Sorry Day in Pittwater in 2026 was an opportunity for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to come together. ''The way it should be'' ASGMWP states.
Start 12.30pm, outside of the main front door of Mona Vale Memorial Hall, visitors and members expereinced a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, Didgeridoo and Clap Sticks playing and then participated in a short, silent walk to Remember the Stolen Generations.
Everyone joined local First Nations peoples inside the hall for afternoon tea, Kangaroo Rissoles, sausages and Damper and lots more.
There was a Reading from Aunty Nancy’s Book of Poems. by Catherine Donnell
An illuminating Adress on 'What is Sorry day all about' by Aleta Wassell, and educational stories illuminated through the moves of the Aboriginal dancing Group.
Visitors then listened to the amazing voice of Aleta Wassell, she is deadly!, all while enjoying Weaving with Aunty Karleen Green, in the corner, and could take home what they created
There were amazing Aboriginal Artefacts display by GuriNgai Tours, a large collection of new and preloved books, boomerang painting for the Kids, and colouring in for the younger ones.
Afterwards there was a 'Show and tell' about what the youngsters had done with their boomerang painting and their weaving.
''Thank all who attended for Remembering the Stolen Generations.'' ASGMWP stated
All In
ASGMWP's Reconciliation Week reach out to include community on Tuesday included a Reconciliation Time Walk experience.
The purpose of the gathering was to reflect on our shared histories, cultures and achievements, to acknowledge what remains to be done, to work together and walk together.
The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2026 is ‘All in’. It is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.
All In makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport and that all of us must step away from the sidelines and take action to make change.
The theme also reminds us that reconciliation and advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights isn’t a passive activity, and it is not solely the responsibility of First Nations people, who have carried the weight of championing, explaining and acting for far too long.
Reconciliation will not happen by itself, and it will not happen without all of us.
National Reconciliation Week is celebrated from 27 May to 3 June each year. The dates remain unchanged every year, to align with major milestones in our country’s reconciliation journey — the success of the 1967 referendum to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census, and the High Court Mabo decision that overturned the notion of Australia’s status as terra nullis (unoccupied land).
National Reconciliation Week began in 1993, as the ‘Week of Prayer for Reconciliation’ (during the ‘International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples’) and was supported by major faith communities.
Three years later, in 1996, Australia’s first National Reconciliation Week was organised by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.
Reconciliation Australia — the lead body for reconciliation in Australia — was established in 2001, to continue promoting and facilitating reconciliation, as well as provide national leadership on reconciliation.
According to Reconciliation Australia, National Reconciliation Week offers an opportunity “for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.”
National Reconciliation Week 2026 invites us all to be 'All In' — to see reconciliation not as a destination, but as a shared responsibility lived out through truth, courage and action. This reflection reminds us that reconciliation begins by acknowledging what has been broken and choosing to rebuild together, side by side. Reconciliation is strongest when everyone participates, taking shared responsibility for healing, justice and restored relationships, and helping shape a future grounded in dignity, respect and hope.
John Illingsworth (Pittwater Pathways) has kindly filmed excerpts of the Reconciliation Week All In Aboriginal Support Group Manly Warringah Pittwater commemoration and celebration which runs below for those unable to attend.