Flags were also flying high as Shellharbour's young marched in the 10^th annual School Flag Walk on Monday as part of the city's Reconciliation Week celebrations.

The event at Harrison Park saw students from 25 Shellharbour schools walk alongside members of the community to celebrate Indigenous culture.

Aboriginal Elders, civic leaders and students each played a part in the special flag exchange ceremony to mark the week, whose theme in 2019 is 'Grounded in Truth: Walk Together with Courage'.

Mayor Marianne Saliba said honouring the community's Aboriginal culture and heritage was an integral part of strengthening ties to the place in which we lived.

"I encourage everyone to join us in our walk and ceremony and honour the Aboriginal culture and heritage of our community and help to overcome any issues of social separation between cultures," Cr Saliba said.

"Recognising and protecting the Aboriginal history of our city provides us with connections that date back thousands of years and can provide a true understanding of the rich culture of the Aboriginal people.

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"Reconciliation Week provides an opportunity for everyone to learn and reflect on the vibrancy of the Aboriginal culture, the struggles faced and the role we all play in the journey ahead."

National Reconciliation Week was established in 1996 and is celebrated each year from May 27 to June 3.

The dates commemorate two significant milestones in Australia's reconciliation journey- the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

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