Some reports on 'Sorry'

From ABC News:

"More than 1,000 people braved pouring rain to gather outside the local Community Centre in the inner Sydney suburb of Redfern to watch the national apology to the Stolen Generations on a giant screen.

They were at the local community centre, not far from the Block and from where Paul Keating gave his famous speech on reconciliation back in 1992.

There was of course a heavy representation of Indigenous people in the crowd but there were also people of all ages and all ethnic mixes.

Some were dressed casually and some were in suits, presumably on their way to work.

Three schoolgirls travelled to Redfern from one of Sydney's more affluent areas.

"We study our regional studies and also it's a day of history," one said. "We want to be here to see it happening. We support it really."

"I personally think it is a really important issue and it has been a long time coming and I just think it is really important that everyone gets to come out see it happen," another said.

"I think it is definitely a starting point to head towards the future because at least now we are heading towards a common goal ... for reconciliation."


Redfern's history

Residents viewed today's apology through the suburb's place in Aboriginal history, particularly in relation to the landmark Redfern speech by Mr Keating, 16 years ago.

In 1992, Mr Keating admitted wrong. He did not say sorry but he prepared the way for saying sorry.

Resident Shireen Malamoo says Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should be applauded for building on Mr Keating's work.

"The Labor Party had a big hand in these previous policies towards Aboriginal people," she said.

"You know what, Aboriginal people have always wondered about this cautiousness about the truth."

However she says Mr Rudd came to terms with the truth today.

"I think that was marvellous, that was marvellous, and people would be content,' she said.

However she says there is still the issue of reparation, and she is concerned that Mr Rudd stopped short of offering compensation.

"To a lot of people, sorry means reparation too," she said."
Another report here.