In welcoming people to this year's Sorry Day ceremony Aunty Gwenda Jarrett said, "As First Nation people, we are being acknowledged for the trauma and hurt that we endured."

This year is the 25th anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home Report in the Australian Parliament, which documented the experiences of the Stolen Generation of First Nation children who were removed from their families.

National Sorry Day was established one year after that, but it took 10 years to the Australian Government, under Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, to say sorry for the harm caused.

Stuart Larkins, the first Kiama councillor of First Nations heritage, said, "Sorry Day is about accepting and acknowledging the past and acknowledging how it affects our future. Many South Coast Aboriginal people and their families, including my own family, were impacted by these events and historical wrongs that have occurred.

"Sorry Day also marks the start of Reconciliation Week. The challenge for all Australians is to be brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so that we can make change for the benefit of all Australians.

The three flags were raised after a smoking ceremony

"I am proud to be part of that change. Kiama Council recently and unanimously passed a motion to endorse and implement the principles of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

"These are important steps locally which will establish important agreement making initiatives and give voice to our community.

"As a community, we should always acknowledge the past but strive for change, right the wrongs and work together as one."

Councillor Stuart Larkins with Aunty Gwenda Jarrett

Aunty Gwenda told the crowd she counts herself lucky to have been born and remain living on her Dharawal country given that she comes from the Werri Beach tribe, which was the last tribe to be forcibly removed (to La Perouse in Sydney).