The NSW Upper House voted unanimously on Tuesday afternoon to pass a motion acknowledging the Gweagal clan of the Dharawal tribe as rightful owners of artefacts stored in the British Museum and the University of Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

An ecstatic Mr Kelly said it was the first time in Australian history any parliament has fully supported a motion on an Indigenous issue.

“I’m feeling really good,” he said after the motion was passed with full support of the Upper House, including NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Leslie Williams.

“Leslie [Williams] was saying it would be good for all Australians to get them back.

“it is a big step for other communities trying to get stuff back.”

Mr Kelly said he has requested Ms Williams visit the British High Commission and lobby to have the issue raised in federal parliament.

The Gweagal shield and numerous spears were taken by Captain Cook's landing party at Botany Bay in 1770 after shooting at Cooman, a Gweagal warrior and descendant of Mr Kelly.

The incident was one of the first moments of contact between Europeans and Australia's Indigenous people.

The motion was raised by NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge after being contacted by Mr Kelly in his battle to have the artefacts repatriated.