The group ventured to the Gibbergunyah Reserve in Bowral on April 9 to acknowledge elders past, present and emerging and pay tribute to the land.

The ceremony is traditionally conducted across Gundungurra country to Leura, and reminds people about the local land.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags were raised at the nin garang thurree currobung, which translates to the place between the rocks.

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Gundungurra elder Aunty Trish Levett conducted the welcome to country and a smoking ceremony.

Participants painted themselves with white ochre, formed a circle and danced in the smoke.

This traditional ceremony has occurred in the Highlands and across the country for thousands of years.

Convenor Kim Leevers spoke about how circumstances like the droughts, pandemic, bushfires ad floods have impacted First Nations peoples.

Specifically, how these crises have impacted local Indigenous peoples issues with housing shortages, vaccines, food and fuel insecurity, deaths in custody, forced child removals and the continual failure of governments to tackle these issues.

"The First Nations peoples should be the first at the table, not getting the crumbs," she said.

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The group moved out to the Gibbergunyah Lookout to attempt the mirror flash, but there was a complete whiteout due to heavy low cloud cover.

This meant that Mount Jellore, which is nine kilometres away could not be seen.

Instead, attendees spike about their own stories and experiences with reconciliation.

WRG secretary Gus Johnson, reminded participants of the Myall Creek massacre of 1838, and the Appin massacre in 1816, which occurred 60 kilometres north.

These are two of over 250 massacres across Australia, which is a legacy that continues to pain First Nations people and moves us to work for restitution and reconciliation.

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The group then moved back to the ceremony fire to enjoy a chat with a hot cup of tea and afternoon tea.

The group was thankful that Bronwyn Leevers and Careaway Tours provided the transport on the day.

Next year's event will take place on April 8, and everyone is invited to come along to celebrate First Nations communities, cultures and country.

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