National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June.

Bayside Council will honour National Reconciliation Week and National Sorry Day with a Smoking Ceremony and Flag Raising at Rockdale Town Hall on Tuesday, May 26.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

or signup to continue reading

Following the ceremony Aunty Brenda Matthews, a proud Wiradjuri woman, author, speaker and film director, will share her experiences and insights.

Her powerful story of being removed from her Aboriginal family as a young child and later reconnecting with her heritage is told in her book and documentary The Last Daughter.

Through her storytelling and public speaking, Aunty Brenda shares messages of healing, reconciliation and unity, and works with schools, communities and organisations across Australia to build understanding between cultures.

Bayside Library displays during National Reconciliation Week will highlight First Nations people and library activities, including Toddlertime and Storytime, will celebrate Indigenous culture and reconciliation.

National Reconciliation Week runs from May 27 to June 3 every year. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey - the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

National Sorry Day on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 is a day to acknowledge the wrongs of the past and the enduring strength of Stolen Generations survivors and offers an opportunity to reflect on how we can all support in the healing and walk together.