In this episode, Laura and her family attend a community screening of the Prime Minister’s apology. The clip captures the emotional weight of the moment and Laura’s internal conflict.

Watch Clip 1: Mob at the Community Centre

Clip description: Laura and her family are at the community centre to listen to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s address to Indigenous people apologising for decades of government policy that allowed children to be stolen from their families. However, Laura is more concerned with the apology she needs to make to Michaelis.

Begin by watching Clip 1: Mob at the Community Centre. Reflect on the provocation and explore the meaning of “mob” in Laura’s world. Through discussion and emotional mapping, surface prior knowledge and personal connections to apology, truth-telling, and belonging.

Reflect

As a class, discuss the following questions:

• What does “mob” mean in this context?
• What does saying sorry mean to Laura?

In small groups, investigate the significance of the Apology and the role of ‘community’ in healing. Choose how to document your thinking:

A Belonging Collage (images and words)

or

A “What Sorry Means to Me” mural or group poster

Watch Clip 2: The Dinghy Incident

Clip description: Laura is playing in a small boat on the water. The playful adventure takes an unexpected turn when the boat begins to sink. In the chaos, a container holding the ashes of the boat owner's cherished dog are thrown overboard.

Examine Laura’s internal conflict. Reflect on the emotions involved in hiding the truth and explore the historical context of the 2008 Apology and the Stolen Generations. Investigate cultural protocols such as Welcome to Country and the role of Elders.

Think – Pair – Share and discuss:

• Why is it hard for Laura to admit her mistake?
• How does the national apology connect to personal responsibility?

Research the Stolen Generations and First Nations leadership

From Laura’s perspective, write a personal apology letter to Michaelis.

Rewatch all three clips to identify turning points in Laura’s story. Analyse her choices using a Choices and Consequences (cause and effect) T-chart and sort ideas into themes such as Personal Responsibility, Cultural Protocols, and Collective Healing. Compare Laura’s personal apology journey with the national apology.

Analyse Laura’s interactions with Michaelis and her mob, exploring relational dynamics and the role of community in emotional growth.

In pairs, role-play dialogue between Laura and Michaelis.

Connect Laura’s story to broader ideas and stories on reconciliation and resilience. Express truth-telling through narrative formats.

• What voices are missing from the conversation?
• How do these stories connect to my own?

Create a My Place story map to illustrate significant events from this decade.

Reflect on Laura’s emotional transformation and the community’s response. Synthesise learning through personal reflections, visual representations, and group sharing.

By re-watching Clip 1, identify and discuss key takeaways about reconciliation and community to inform a My Place journal entry to address the following questions:

• What have I learned about belonging and respect?
• How have my ideas changed?

Apply learning in real-world contexts to co-design a class initiative that promotes truth-telling and cultural respect. Where appropriate, engage with First Nations protocols through storytelling, cultural ceremonies and community events in your local area.

• How can I use what I’ve learned to make a difference in my local area?
• What actions show respect across cultures?

Episode Stills