It was the biggest crowd ever with many organisations, churches, government representatives and people from all over Australia attending.

It was the 170th anniversary of the history-making event that took place when a gang of stockmen killed 28 unarmed Aboriginal people on June 10, 1838.

The men involved were sentenced to hang and it was the fist time in Australia that perpetrators were prosecuted for crimes against Aboriginal people.

Myall Creek Memorial Committee vice chairmen Lyall Munro Snr said the day was an outstanding success with bus loads of school children taking part and the Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett presenting a certificate of heritage to the site.

“The future for Myall Creek definitely looks good, it has come a long way,” Mr Munro Snr said.

The service was emotional for some as the crowd marched to the monument where the children read the history of the site from the plaques.

There were also traditional Aboriginal dancers and even a song and a book written about Myall Creek.

“You had to see it to believe it.

“A lot more people have taken interest so that’s terrific,” he said.

An annual public meeting of the Myall Creek Memorial Committee followed the ceremony and Mr Munro Snr said there was terrific feedback.

“I have no doubt it will be even bigger next year,” he said.