They weren’t tears of joy – but tears of a man trying to reconcile the contradiction of accepting an award on Australia Day – a time of “great heartache” for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Williams, a star rugby league player turned youth and mental health crusader, said a bridge between Indigenous and non-indigenous loomed large on Australia’s national soul.

“The most common uneducated comment I hear in today’s age is that it was so long ago, can’t we just move on already,” he told the audience in his acceptance speech.

“It isn’t quite so long ago when it’s me and my family directly affected.”

Williams recalled stories from his childhood and paid tribute to his parents.

“I still recall my grandmother telling me stories of Dad and his siblings having to run to the river to hide from the government cars,” he said.

“Those cars catch my Dad, my Dad doesn’t meet my Mum and I don’t have the change to make an impact on many people’s lives – Joe Williams isn’t standing here today.”

But Williams, who was donned in traditional Aboriginal body painting, said he believed Wagga was moving forward.

“Are we learning in our community? For the most part, yes, I believe we are. We still see and hear comments that are degrading, but we are still moving forward as a town, community and also a country,” he said.

“The English weren’t sent here to invade, conquer and wipe out … it’s taken a while to realise, but I believe they were sent here to learn from us, our ways and respect of Mother Earth, our caring, sharing and love for direct and extended family and our acknowledgement and respect of spirit.”

Williams will use the award to shine a light on programs that help disengaged youth in local schools, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres and the Wagga Suicide Prevention Network.

Wagga mayor Rod Kendall said he hoped Williams’ recognition would start a community conversation over Australia’s past.