More than 250 people joined the walk from Wollongong TAFE to the university campus and if the Collingwood-Adam Goodes saga has damaged race relations in Australia, the good-humoured crowd was proof they can improve.

The abuse suffered by Aboriginal people has been brought into the spotlight by the derogatory comments directed at Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes, first by a young Collingwood fan, and then by the club's president Eddie McGuire.

MORE: Are you a casual racist?

But everyone the Mercury spoke to at yesterday's walk made it clear that a wide range of people experienced racism in Australia. And the crowd that turned out to support reconciliation was as diverse as Wollongong - with indigenous people, recent migrants, refugees, school children, and TAFE and university staff among them.

Didgeridoo player Ivan Morris, of Dapto, said like all Aboriginal people, he had experienced racism throughout his life. And each time, he had to decide whether it was best to turn the other cheek with dignity or take a stand on behalf of his people - which risked causing more conflict.

COMMENTS: How readers reacted to Eddie's on-air clanger

"I definitely cop it," Mr Morris, 26, said.

"It just becomes a part of your life.

"You're sick and tired of it but as an Aboriginal person, you know it's always going to be there."

He said the presence of such a diversity of cultures at the walk was an "honour".

"It really means a lot to the Aboriginal people to have the rest of Australia recognise [this]," he said.

Mr Morris, who was with his wife and two sons at the walk, said Goodes had been an inspiration in the way he had handled the saga with dignity and strength.

"He's 100 per cent," he said.

"He's an outstanding leader."