The move to acknowledge the Gweagal people as the rightful owners of artefacts kept in British museums passed unanimously on Tuesday afternoon, a first for an Indigenous issue in any Australian parliament.

The bill had the support of Nationals MP and state Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Leslie Williams who said it was an important day for all Australians and a “really positive thing” for NSW.

“By having that shield back we as non-Indigenous Australians will understand more about our history,” she said.

“I think that all these processes and milestones are part of a healing process for all of us.

“I certainly gave my support and was pleased to see it go through without contention.”

Bermagui’s Rodney Kelly, a descendant of Gweagal warrior Cooman who held a shield and spears as Captain Cook approached Kurnell near Botany Bay is battling to have the items returned after the British Museum said they could be loaned but not repatriated.

“I’m feeling very happy about the vote, and it’s the biggest thing to happen since I started the campaign and I really feel like we will get these artefacts back,” Mr Kelly said.

“It has been a very emotional couple of days, and now to have NSW Parliament behind me is something I never expected to have.

“Now hopefully we will take it to Federal Parliament in Canberra.”

Mr Kelly’s daughter Shakira also made the trip to parliament house for the historic day, excited at hearing her father’s name read out by Greens MP David Shoebridge who raised the bill.

“I’m very proud of my dad and I love him very much,” she said.

The trip has inspired Shakira to seek a career in advocacy to “help protect the trees and animals”.

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