Merri-bek City Council held its annual Day of Mourning Ceremony at the Coburg Town Hall on the unceded land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples on January 26.
Around 300 people were welcomed to Country by Uncle Bill Nicholson, who said the day was one of grief for many First Peoples, as it marks the beginning of dispossession and ongoing impacts of colonisation.
Uncle advised the gathering to reflect on resilience and survival, to listen and learn, and to stand together for truth-telling, justice and Treaty.
There was a significant police presence in case of any provocations by neo-Nazis as they have done.
Socialist Alliance Councillor Sue Bolton was thanked for her work, as were Linda and Rodney Spark from Merri-bek Residents for Reconciliation Action, who have also worked tirelessly for justice for First Nations people.