The annual commemoration is a chance to remember the 28 Indigenous men, women and children who were killed by a group of stockmen in 1838.

Founder of the memorial committee, Sue Blacklock, a descendant of one of the survivors of the massacre, said for a long time Myall Creek was a place Aboriginal people avoided.

“No one would go there, but now it’s a place that we can remember. We can feel the difference and know that our people are free,” she told The Inverell Times. 

She said knowing Myall Creek was a rare example of justice being done – the perpetrators were put on trial and executed – allowed the Aboriginal people to move on and forgive, and paved the way for reconciliation. 

Moree elder and guest speaker for the event, Noeline Briggs-Smith, agreed and said the service gave thought to both the descendants of the Aboriginal people and those of the stockmen. 

“Reconciliation does strengthen our communities,” she said.

The service begins at 9.30am in the Myall Creek Memorial Hall.

The Ceramic Break Sculpture Park on the Fossickers Way at Warialda is also marking the anniversary with the opening of its annual exhibition of Aboriginal art.

The opening is tomorrow and starts at noon, with refreshments and lunch available.