Members of the Stolen Generations will receive a multi-million dollar boost in support services, as the anniversary of the national apology is commemorated.
Friday marks the 18th anniversary of former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd delivering the apology to the Stolen Generations in federal parliament.
Survivors will be able to access $87 million of support services over the next four years, which will include family tracing and reunification efforts.
The funds will also go towards access to redress schemes and health services.
Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said survivors of the Stolen Generations needed to have continual meaningful support.
"Past government policies caused immeasurable harm to Stolen Generations survivors and their families," she said.
"Sadly, for many of our people, the distress and hurt continues today. This is why understanding and supporting the needs of the Stolen Generations is so important."
Josephine Smallwood from Townsville in Queensland attended the annual breakfast held to commemorate the "life-changing event" on Friday.
"I was very pleased to be joined by many family and friends, people with shared trauma, to commemorate a very important ... day," the Wangan and Jagalingou woman told NITV.
"It was life-changing for survivors and families, and people who are connected by the racist and destructive policies of the past.
"It was destructive of family, which is central to our culture and to our connection to this country.
Ms Smallwood, present for the original apology in 2008, reflected on the significance of the event after 18 years.
"To hear the prime minister of the time apologise ... and say a very hard word, apparently, the word 'sorry'.
"He said that as a representation of decency, and respect, and fairness, that we like to say Australia is built on. It meant a lot to everybody in Australia, including those affected.
"So to come back 18 years later in Canberra where it all happened it's very touching, and I'm very honoured to be here, and I thank the healing foundation for getting us all here."
The anniversary of the apology was marked with a commemorative breakfast at parliament house, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese giving an address.
Mr Albanese said the apology was an important step forward, but not the end of action.
"The apology didn't just look to the past – it was a call to action for the future. A call that was, at its heart, deeply patriotic, true to our abiding instincts for better, fairer, stronger Australia," he said.
Aunty Pat Thompson AM, CEO of Link-Up Queensland, an advocacy group for Stolen Generations survivors, said the day honoured their "strength and resilience".
"It's also about calling out for action, implementing those recommendations that are still 30 years old," she told NITV, referring to the Bringing them Home report.
The report was completed in 1997, and successive governments have faced criticism from survivors and advocacy groups for their failure to enact its recommendations.
"They need to be implemented without any further delay," she said.
Ms Thompson said despite the heaviness implicit in the day, the opportunity to be with others of shared experience sparked much joy as well.
"There's a lot of pain and trauma that people hold, but when we get together as mob, there's such a good feeling of sharing stories, sharing laughter, having fun.
"That's what survivors do when they come together."
The National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, Sue-Anne Hunter, said the significance of day was difficult to encapsulate.
"Coming together 18 years on still matters," she said.
"To see the Stolen Gens at the table with us still fighting for truth and justice is so inspirational to me.
"It's very emotional as well ... it takes you back to the original Apology."
Ms Hunter said reflections on Mr Rudd's original apology, played in full to the breakfast's attendees, prompted memories of her father and grandmother.
"My nan was the last one born on Coranderrk Mission. I thought of her ... Seeing the Apology again, it's hard not to be moved. In my new role, it's even more important seeing what's happening around us."
Gloria Sumner, Ngarrindjeri woman from South Australia, remembered the request for all the members of the Stolen Generations to stand.
"I thought I was a strong woman. Tears just flowed down my face," she told NITV.
"My sister was in Alice Springs, and she rang me and said, 'Kevin Rudd said sorry' ... just saying his name makes me choke up even today."
