For Aboriginal children, I've found www.reconciliation.org.au, which is Australia-wide but might be able to direct funds to WA. One of its directors visited my town recently so I could even try to contact him if necessary.
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/indigenous-apology-welcomed/1172761.html31 January 2008 - 9:24AM
Indigenous apology welcomed
Danielle Cronin The Federal Government's decision to apologise to the Stolen Generations would be a significant step towards healing, according to Ngunnawal elder Matilda House, who will play a pivotal role in the historic event.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin announced yesterday the Government would make the formal apology on February 13."A national apology to the Stolen Generations and their families is a first, necessary step to move forward from the past," Ms Macklin said.
"The apology will be made on behalf of the Australian Government and does not attribute guilt to the current generation of Australian people."
Ms House said the apology meant "everything".
"This is part of the reconciliation of Aboriginal and non-indigenous Australians," she said.
"It will be the beginning of a healing process for people on both sides and the acknowledgment of what had happened in the past."
Ms Macklin announced that Ms House would deliver the welcome to country in the Members Hall at Parliament House on February 12.
"A welcome to country is about paying respect to the traditional owners of a particular region [and] this welcome will carry national significance in symbolising a future of respect and partnership with indigenous people," she said.
The welcome to country would be part of the official opening ceremony for Parliament.
Ms House a mother of four and grandmother of 12 said it was a first. "An Aboriginal person has never, ever done this before so it is historical. It's something that will go down in history," she said.
Ms Macklin said she would continue to "consult widely" to come up with the wording for the formal apology which would be the "first item of business" for the new Parliament.
She hoped there would be bipartisan support for the apology, but the Coalition was making no commitments yesterday.
Opposition spokesman on indigenous affairs Tony Abbott doubted the Government could find words that would "satisfy the more zealous indigenous activists without deeply disconcerting many other people".
"And I think it would be fair to say we don't regard this as anything like the highest priority in indigenous affairs," Mr Abbott said.
Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson wanted to see the proposed wording for the formal apology.
"With something that is going to divide our country or potentially divide our country, I just sort of say to [Prime Minister Kevin] Rudd I think it would be sensible to hasten slowly on this," Dr Nelson said.
"And at the very least ... let all Australians just have a look at what's being proposed and, as I say, I haven't seen it yet."
Mr Rudd said the apology was "unfinished business" for the nation.
"It's building a bridge of respect which I think has been in some state of disrepair in recent decades," he said.
"But having crossed that bridge, the other part of it is all about practical business. Closing the gap in terms of life expectancy, infant mortality, skills attainments and health outcomes for indigenous people, is the core business."
Stolen Generations Alliance's Christine King was "overwhelmed" the Government had finally set the date to say sorry.
She said it was important the word "sorry" actually be used in the apology. "Sorry is the most important word because it has great meaning in our community, it means having empathy and compassion and understanding."