On Friday, Australians commemorated National Sorry Day with events held across the country allowing the wider community to reflect on the history of the Stolen Generations - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families between 1910 and 1970.
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This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Bringing Them Home Report - the national inquiry into the Stolen Generations.
The Kempsey Healing Together Events Committee, in partnership with the Kinchela Boys' Home Aboriginal Corporation and the Coota Girls' Aboriginal Corporation hosted a Community Yarn Up at the Slim Dusty Centre.
The Yarn Up gave participants the chance to share stories of survival and resilience, and brought people together to work towards reconciliation.
Kempsey Healing Together Events Committee member Jo Kelly said the day was a chance for healing and determining how to support the Stolen Generations.
"The purpose is to reflect on the past 20 years, to look at what's currently happening with the Stolen Generation both locally and nationally, and to work on a plan for how the Macleay Valley can support the survivors and descendants" Ms Jo Kelly said.
"It's also important to remember that we had Kinchela Boys’ Home in this area, just down river."
Ms Kelly says Kinchela had a notorious reputation due to the abuse, neglect and systematic institutionalisation that occurred within the home's walls.
"The boys were stripped of their identity and their names were replaced with a number, which many of them can still remember."
John Kelly performed a traditional smoking ceremony to begin proceedings, cleansing the area and imparting good spirits.
After the official Welcome to Country, and a minute silence, four coloured candles were lit as part of a poignant memorial.
A black candle signified the Kinchela boys and a red candle candle represented the Coota girls.
A yellow candle symbolised other 'stolen' children, whilc a white candle acknowledged their families and descendants.
Master of ceremonies, former ABC radio presenter Malcolm Honess believes the meeting brings the broader community together in understanding of the Aboriginals' plight.
"It's a thing that people are still trying to fit into their communities and have accepted," Mr Honess said.
A chilling screening of the 'Bringing Them Home' DVD followed, with the graphic and shocking account of the Stolen Generations sending shivers down the spines of all who watched on.
Survivors from Kinchela Boys' Home and Cootamundra Girls' Home then took the stage to share their vivid personal stories.
The horriffic nature of the circumstances thrust upon them as children by the ill-conceived, inhumane and tragic past policies of removal and assimilation, as well as the extreme pain and loss they experienced as a consequence, were impossible to ignore.
The strength of not just those who spoke, but of all those who endured such hardships is truly remarkable.
Kinchela Boys' Home Aboriginal Corporation CEO Tiffany McComsey says the day is not only about acknowledging the survivors, but also the legacies that forcible child removal policies left their families and descendants.
"It's a day of sorrow, a day of recognising strength though as well, and to acknowledge that there is still a lot of issues impacting communities because of those removals," Dr McComsey said.
The day concluded with a discussion of those issues and an inquiry into reparations, before people were given further opportunities to build connections and focus on healing.
