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At the beginning
of National Reconciliation Week, Minister for Veterans’
Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel Alan Griffin
has paid tribute to Indigenous veterans who have served
in Australia’s Defence Forces. The
Minister will attend the annual Indigenous Veterans’
Ceremony in Sydney tomorrow as part of National Reconciliation
Week, 27 May – 3 June. Mr
Griffin said Indigenous sailors, soldiers and airmen
and airwomen have served Australia in all wars, conflicts
and peace operations since the Boer War, and continue
to do so today.
“Indigenous
men and women have served alongside their non-Indigenous
counterparts for more than 100 years, in every step
of Australia’s wartime history, and it is important
that we honour their contribution,” Mr Griffin
said. “Their
contribution began as trackers with Australia’s
contingent in the Boer War in South Africa from 1899
until 1902. Indigenous soldiers also served with the
1st Australian Imperial Force in the First World War.
Sadly, almost one third of them were killed or injured.
I encourage
people to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of
Indigenous men and women by taking part in special commemorative
ceremonies being held this week.”
Ceremonies
have been organised by ex-service organisations with
the support of state and local government and the Department
of Veterans’ Affairs and will be held in capital
cities during National Reconciliation Week.
Details of
ceremonies are as follows:
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