Today marks National Sorry Day, a day we remember the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who were forcibly removed from their families and subjected to mistreatment. They are known as the Stolen Generations.
To show our respect and how we can all play a part in the healing progress, BCE hosted a deeply moving day-long event, 'Remembering the Empty Coolamons' at the BCE Mt Carmel Centre, Wynnum, on Friday, 23 May 2025.
The event and the collaborative development of an art installation were intended as a tangible expression of BCE's commitment to reconciliation.
Senior Education Advisor - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education, Georgina Kadel said the ritual provided an opportunity to engage in an immersive experience of recognising the Stolen Generations across our BCE community.
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Remembering the Empty Coolamons is a ritual process held within a sacred space designed in memory of the Stolen Generations of Australia and their families," Georgina said.
A coolamon is a shallow, curved, multi-purpose dish or vessel made by First Nations people across Australia, with various uses, including a cradle for newborns.
Held over eight hours, the art installation was performed by Yamatji woman and artist Robyne Latham.
“The coolamon evokes a powerful acknowledgement to the Stolen Generations, as each participant creates, and leaves behind, an empty coolamon signifying the children who never returned home," Georgina said.
“Held outside, the sacred space full of little clay coolamons can, over time, dissolve back to the earth that is an important symbol of the healing process."
BCE staff and students joined the ceremony, contributing a coolamon to the art installation over the course of the day and engaging in reflective conversations with First Nations students, staff and community.
Schools involved in the art installation included:
- St Mary's College Maryborough
- St John's College Nambour
- Sophia College Plainland
- St Mary's College Ipswich
- Assisi Catholic College Upper Coomera
- St Joseph's College Coomera
- St Columban's College Caboolture
- Emmaus College Jimboomba
- San Damiano College Yarrabilba
- St Augustine's College Augustine Heights
- Chisholm Catholic College Cornubia
- St John Fisher College Bracken Ridge
- Guardian Angels Primary Ashmore
- Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon
- Carmel College Thornlands
- Clairvaux MacKillop College Upper Mt Gravatt
- San Sisto College Carina
