We finally say sorry

It has come to pass, that mythical event that many dream of but never hope to happen. I actually have faith in my government. It's a strange, disturbing and slightly funky feeling.

On 13th February 2008, our new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, apologised to what has been termed the Stolen Generation, for the policy by the Government that enabled the forcable removal of Aboriginal children from their parents. I don't pretend to know the particulars, or the anguish and pain of those affected, but I do know what I hope to come out of this historic event.

I hope we can go forward as a united nation, one in which there is no distinction between people of Aboriginal, Caucasion, Asian or any other descent. We are all Australian.

I hope we can put aside the hatred and discontent of the past to achieve this.

I hope our government continues in the way they have started, as they have affected more change, at least in a symbolic sense, than any government I can remember.

I hope the adversarial nature of us as a people can be put aside for a more positive spirit, a joining together regardless of what political, racial or philosphocial persuasion we are.

It's a utopian view, but for the first time, I feel that it might come to pass.