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Honouring all those who serve

Long before they were considered citizens of Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have had a proud history of contributing to Australia’s military efforts. Often little known, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander war stories are only now being uncovered. Take some time this Anzac Day to discover these untold histories and remember forgotten heroes. Lest we forget.

Did you know...

Women and children of Cummeragunja mission

“Australian soldiers I met in the Army were not colour-conscious towards the aboriginal…native troops from practically every colony in the Empire fought and died in the struggle against tyranny and oppression, and Australian aboriginals were no exception.” 
Reg Saunders - the first Indigenous Australian to be commissioned as an officer in the 2nd AIF during World War II.

Upon returning from World War I, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers were denied land under the Returned Servicemen’s Settlement Scheme, despite having fought alongside non-Indigenous servicemen.

Although forced to give up their land and rights, the women and children of the Cummeragunja mission, located 32km from Echuca in NSW, knitted 59 caps, 27 pullovers, 41 balaclavas and 77 pair of mittens for Australian soldiers. 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians fought against British settlers for 146 years on Australian soil, in what is known as the Frontier Wars.

 The Sapphires is a true story of four Aboriginal women: Laurel Robinson, Lois Peeler, Beverley Briggs and Naomi Myers. They toured Vietnam in the late 1960’s singing to American troops – an extraordinary achievement for four young Aboriginal people, considering that Aboriginal people had only just received the right to vote.

Quick statistics...

“After the war I went back to being just another black fellow.” 
Leonard Waters - the first Aboriginal aviator and pilot to serve in World War II.

1 in every 20 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people made a direct contribution to Australian WWII efforts either as servicemen or women, or civilian labourers.

 At present, it is known that 34 Aboriginal men served at Gallipoli, 12 of whom were killed.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were serving for 87 years in the armed forces before they were considered citizens of Australia.

• It is estimated that 27,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were killed in the Frontier Wars.

• Indigenous men are known to have received a Distinguished Conduct Medal in World War I, and a further 13 received a Military Medal for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire.

Meet…Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker)

“There was a job to be done…all of a sudden the colour line disappeared.” 
Oodgeroo Noonuccal- Army Corporal, notable political activist and poet.

A descendent of the Noonuccal people of North Stradbroke Island in Queensland, Oodgeroo Noonuccal, (Kath Walker) was a renowned political activist and poet. However, much lesser known is that she started her career serving in the Australian Women’s Army Service in 1942.

Oodgeroo enlisted after her two brothers were captured by the Japanese at the fall of Singapore, trained as a telephonist and was later promoted to Corporal. During her time with the Army, she found she was not subjected to racial discrimination. After leaving, however, and facing prejudice and racism in wider Australian society, Oodgeroo became a fervent advocate for Indigenous rights and emerged as a key figure in the 1967 Referendum. Read more…

Take action...

Take time out this Anzac Day to remember the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women to Australia’s war efforts. 

 Attend the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commemorative Ceremony in Canberra, or a local Indigenous Commemorative Service in your state.

If you’re in Brisbane, see the Black Diggers production, showing later in the year. This show explores the untold stories of Aboriginal soldiers in World War I, and the outstanding contribution they made to Australian History.

Read ‘Forgotten heroes: Aborigines at war from the Somme to Vietnam’ by Alice Jackomos and Derek Fowell or ‘Forgotten War’ by Henry Reynolds for insight into Indigenous accounts of war.

• Watch the interview with Wiradjuri woman, Barbara Johnson, a current Army Private in the Australian Defence Force.

If you have stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who served in the war or worked alongside in an auxiliary capacity, contact Gary Oakley at the Australian War Memorial (gary.oakley@awm.gov.au or 02 62434532) – he is always interested in hearing people’s stories.

Reconciliation Australia would like to thank Gary Oakley and the Australian War Memorial for assistance in developing this factsheet. Banner photo and first three photos courtesy of AWM. Fourth photo courtesy of John Paul Janke.