Ms O'Brien has spent most of her life in Port Macquarie but in the last five years she has noticed the community has become much more open to Biripi history, culture and heritage.

"Our community has become so much more diverse," Ms O'Brien said.

"When you have people moving in from other areas where multiculturalism exists and it is alive in their communities when they come to Port Macquarie they want to be involved.

"I have experienced racism in Port Macquarie but I can honestly say it is not like it used to be, there has been a significant shift."

National Reconciliation Week is celebrated across Australia each year between May 27 and June 3.

The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the Reconciliation journey - the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

"Before 1967 Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people were not allowed to vote in Australia," she said.

"We were not counted so the data for us was never captured.

"Ninety per cent of Australians voted to give the Commonwealth the power to then make laws for Aboriginal Torres Straight Islander people and recognise them in the national census.

"It was a really big turning point in Australia's history.

"The High Court decision over the Mabo case legally recognised that Aboriginal people have a special relationship with the land and existed prior to settlement.

"It has really paved the way to land rights through the native title process."

Ms O'Brien said National Reconciliation Week is about providing awareness and understanding about why those two milestones are significant.

"It is really about letting people know some of our Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander history in Australia and bringing the whole community together to unify and be one."

The theme of the 2019 National Reconciliation Week is 'Grounded in Truth: Walk Together With Courage'.

Local events will be taking place to celebrate National Reconciliation Week, including Reconciliation walks and free film screenings of UTOPIA.

The documentary film by John Pilcher explores the experiences of Aboriginal Australians in modern Australia.

"The film is confronting because it is based on truth," said Ms O'Brien.

In Port Macquarie, the Reconciliation Walk will take place at 4.30pm at Livvis Playground, Westport Park on Monday May 27.

The free film screening of Utopia will take place at 6pm at the Glasshouse on Friday, May 31.

In Wauchope, the Reconciliation Walk will take place at 4.30pm at Rocks Ferry Reserve on Wednesday, May 29. The free film screening of Utopia will be at Wauchope Community Arts Hall on Saturday, June 1 at 5.30pm.

For more information on events click here.