Apologies and Recognitions Our Reconciliation Action Plan Cafs recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the First Nations Peoples of Australia. We acknowledge the impact of colonisation and dispossession of generations of First Nations Peoples and the negative impact this has on the health and wellbeing of these communities in the past, and today. In particular how our past policies and practices contributed to the irreparable breaking up of Stolen Generation families. We are committed to reconciliation and seek to undertake activities that progress this aim. A copy of our Reconciliation Action Plan can be viewed here. Stolen Generation Apology – 13 February 2008 Cafs would like to commemorate that on the 13th of February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples, particularly to the Stolen Generations, who suffered as a result of past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation. In particular Cafs would like to acknowledge the Past Residents of the Ballarat Children’s Orphanage and Ballarat Children’s Homes. It is important that, as a nation, we commemorate this significant milestone, acknowledging the wrongs of the past, while reflecting on the work that still needs to be done to address the impacts of unresolved trauma. Forgotten Australians & Former Child Migrants Apology – 16 November 2009 Cafs would like to acknowledge the national apology to the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants who suffered abuse or neglect in care, in particular the Past Residents of the Ballarat Children’s Orphanage and Ballarat Children’s Homes. On the 16th of November 2009, on behalf of the Australian Government, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered an unqualified apology with the support by the (then) Opposition Leader, Malcolm Turnbull. The Great Hall at Parliament House in Canberra was filled with Forgotten Australians and their supporters who gathered to hear Australia acknowledge that what happened in the past was both real and wrong and made sure that a largely invisible part of our history was put firmly on the record. It will also continuously remind the community of what happened to many of these children – the loss of family, the loss of identity and, in the case of child migrants, the loss of their country.