Community gathers to mark National Apology Day 2026

February 16, 2026

This article was first published by City of Wagga Wagga Council News on 12 February 2026. Click here to view the full article.

RECOGNITION AND REFLECTION: Cultural Knowledge Holder Luke Wighton leads a cleansing smoking ceremony on the lawn outside the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, opening commemorative events for National Apology Day 2026.

Wagga Wagga gathered on Friday 13 February to mark the 18th anniversary of the National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples delivered in Federal Parliament.

The annual event provided an opportunity for the community to reflect on the significance of the Apology and the ongoing journey toward healing and reconciliation.

Proceedings began on the shores of Wollundry Lagoon – a place of deep cultural significance for the Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri community – with a cleansing smoking ceremony led by local Cultural Knowledge Holder Luke Wighton.

The commemoration then moved inside the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre where Wagga Wagga City Council’s First Nations Community Development Officer Teneille McDonald delivered an Acknowledgement of Country, followed by reflections from local First Nations community members, including performances from youth cultural dancers.

Together, all honoured the strength and resilience of the Stolen Generations and First Nations peoples, while acknowledging the ongoing impacts across generations.

Council’s Community Development Coordinator Alex Osgood said the commemoration remains an important moment of collective reflection.

“It’s important that our community comes together to recognise a pivotal moment in Australia’s history which serves as a reminder of how far we have come on our reconciliation journey and how far we have to go,” Alex said.

“We are grateful to local Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri Elders and community members who help shape this event each year, and to everyone who joined in respectful reflection.”

Ms McDonald said the community’s shared commitment to reconciliation was evident throughout the day.

“Standing together with our community strengthens the path toward reconciliation, and it was encouraging to see that shared commitment so clearly reflected at this year’s event,” she said.

“It was really positive to see people of all ages come together from the wider community in a spirit of respect, learning and meaningful change.”

Wagga Wagga City Council is proud to commemorate the anniversary of the National Apology as part of our continued commitment to reconciliation.

The event promotes truth, compassion and reflection, and reminds all Australians of the importance of acknowledgement and walking the reconciliation journey together.