The fifth annual Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony was held by RSL (Queensland Branch) on June 1 at ANZAC Square, in Brisbane’s CBD. The ceremony officially recognised all current and ex-serving Indigenous Veterans’ during the 15th annual Reconciliation Week.
The ceremony, organised together with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, has become an important part of Reconciliation Week as well as the RSL’s support of the Indigenous community.
The Governor of Queensland, members of the Defence Force, Indigenous groups, school children and the family members of Veterans’ attended to acknowledge the role all current and ex-serving Indigenous men and women played in the freedom all Australians enjoy today.
The event featured many well known faces from the national Indigenous community.
RAAF Squadron Leader, Professor Lisa Jackson-Pulver and RSL Queensland CEO Chris McHugh CSC co-hosted the event. RAAF Squadron Leader, Professor Lisa Jackson-Pulver was the first Indigenous person to receive a PhD in medicine from the University of Sydney and currently serves as a Squadron Leader in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAFF). She was inspired to join the RAAF by her long line of military family history.
“I come from a long line of military people, many cousins, uncles, grandfathers and others contributing to the many forms of Defence. My father was a ‘RAAFy’ and it was through his involvement that I became inspired to also become a member,” Lisa said.
Indigenous men and women have served alongside their non-Indigenous counterparts in nearly every conflict since the Boer War in 1899, but were never awarded the same recognition for their sacrifice.
“Our people were able to fight as equals alongside others, yet when they came home they suffered a very different status than that of returning seaman, soldier or airman. A friend told me recently that when his dad came home, he came home to a house where his children had been taken away from. This is not a unique story," Lisa said.
A surprise performance from Brisbane based Indigenous country music singer Troy Cassar-Daley highlighted the growing recognition for Indigenous Veterans’ in the community. Troy heard an advertisement for the service over the radio, as he had two great uncles within the forces and he felt compelled to contact the RSL and offer his services.
“At the time they went over to fight they weren’t even allowed to vote. So it gives you an idea on how far human rights have come in the country as well,” Troy said.
The ceremony symbolises another step towards the shared journey of reconciliation.