The ceremony was put on by Bendigo Senior Secondary College but involved students from Bendigo South East College, Weeroona College, Eaglehawk Secondary College, Crusoe College, Kalianna and St Luke's. 

National Reconciliation Week is an annual celebration, which offers the community a chance to acknowledge the contributions of Australia's first people. 

The week marks two significant milestones - the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

It's a time for all Australians to learn about the shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how they can join the national reconciliation effort.

Bendigo and District Cooperative director Aunty Lyn Warren was among the special guests at the ceremony. 

She said reconciliation was important for indigenous and non-indigenous people alike. 

"It's good for everyone to come together and work together. We're all here for the same purpose," she said.  

"I think it's so important to pay our respects to each other and work along together so we can make our future brighter. I think if we can show the younger generation it can be done they will catch onto it as well."

Aunty Lyn said she was impressed with the event, which included a traditional smoking ceremony, speeches and several indigenous performances. 

She said the community had come a long way in accepting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders but there was much ground to cover. 

"The journey began a while back and I think it gets stronger each year. I think things are improving and if we work together and walk together it's a good thing," she said. 

"I think National Reconciliation Week is a wonderful part of our history and I think it's just got to get better."

Bendigo Senior Secondary College year 12 student Georgie Radford spoke at the ceremony and said she was proud to be indigenous. 

She said reconciliation was about change. 

"Being an Aboriginal woman reconciliation means that I will be able to live in a community whereby I am not questioned about my Aboriginal origin because of my fair skin," she said. 

"It's about erasing prior assumptions about indigenous people and talking about what it really means to be a first Australian, respecting our beliefs and values."

For more photos from the ceremony, visit www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au