Ceremony to Honour Aboriginal Veterans

Kyt · Jun 1, 2008

Ceremony to Honour Aboriginal Veterans - Lisa Singh, MP - Tasmanian Government Media Releases

As part of events to mark National Reconciliation Week, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Lisa Singh, today attended a remembrance service on Cape Barren Island to honour the sacrifices made by Tasmania’s Aboriginal servicemen and women.

“The service provides a strong reminder of the important contribution that Aboriginal people have made in times of war,” Ms Singh said.

“Aboriginal servicemen and women have a long and proud history in the Australian defence forces, and many of them have given their lives in that service.

“This week marks National Reconciliation Week and it is great to have the opportunity to be part of a service on land that was handed back to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people by Premier Paul Lennon in May 2005.

“The State Government is committed to reconciliation and Tasmania is the first and only State in Australia to have provided compensation to the Stolen Generations.

“It is part of the Government’s ongoing determination to recognise the wrongs of the past and work with the Aboriginal people to build a future characterised by mutual respect and understanding,” Ms Singh said.

Around 300 to 500 Aboriginal Australians fought in World War I and about 3000 to 4000 in World War II.

Many more Indigenous men and women have served in conflicts since including Korea, Vietnam and most recently East Timor.

On Remembrance Day 1999 Aboriginal World War II veteran Uncle Ben Maynard unveiled Tasmania’s first memorial plaque to Aboriginal veterans at the Wall of Remembrance, Launceston Cenotaph.

On ANZAC Day 2002 the Cape Barren Island community rededicated its memorial commemorating Aboriginal veterans.

The original memorial was dedicated to 21 members of the island community who volunteered to serve during World War 1, six of whom were killed in action.

The rededication included a new honour roll of 23 World War II veterans.

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May – 3rd June 2008.
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Antipodean Andy · Jun 1, 2008

Perhaps the most well known:

http://ww2chat.com/forums/biographies/1923-australias-only-aboriginal-fighter-pilot.html

Antipodean Andy · Jun 3, 2008

Brisbane ceremony pays tribute to Indigenous diggers - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

A commemorative ceremony in Brisbane today has paid tribute to Australia's Indigenous soldiers.

More than 200 people turned out for the event at Anzac Square, which marked the final day of National Reconciliation Week.

Indigenous veteran George Bostock, who served in Borneo and Vietnam, says events like today's highlight the important role Indigenous men have played in the community.

"Aboriginal men have been portrayed as not good example setters [but] people seem to forget that our men had in actual fact fought overseas and have set a good example and have become good role models," he said.
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Ceremony to Honour Aboriginal Veterans

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