Students and teachers met with elders at the Giingan Darrunday Marlaanggu Health Clinic at Bowraville to listen to their stories and experiences about the stolen generation.

Bowraville Central language teacher David Prosser said that by recognising the apology and sharing the experience with elders, the children would better understand the culture and history of the language (Gumbaynggir) they were learning at school.

The language program taught at the school runs from kindergarten through to year eight.

The focus of the language training is year-seven students, who undertake 100 hours of study in the traditional language (Gumbaynggir) of the area.

“The program was devised for years seven and eight in consultation with the Board of Studies,” Mr Prosser said.

“After the first year into the pilot program, the principal decided to make the study of Gumbaynggir compulsory for year seven.”

The elders present (all Aunties) shared their experiences with the students of either being one of the stolen generation or of family members who were.

Aunty Sandra Buchanan was one of the elders present sharing her stories with the children.

“I got taken to Sydney when I was 14 and was made to work seven-days-a-week,” Aunty Sandra said. “I never got a chance to finish my education, but I was very happy when the government said sorry. “Life’s great these days.”

Aunty Coral Campbell also talked about her memories after being removed from her family by authorities.

“I was born and raised in Bowraville and went to school there,” Aunty Coral said.

“I was taken by a protection warden when I was 12 years old and never went to school again.”

Bowraville School Principal Malcolm McFarlane said it was important to recognise the importance of the Prime Minister’s apology of two years ago.

“We decided to gather the students and members of the Aboriginal community together to remember and share the day together,” Mr McFarlane said.

“It is important to remember what happened in our past because being honest enriches our lives.”