Victorians have today paid tribute to First Nations veterans at the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service.
Held each year during Reconciliation Week, the service recognises the sacrifice and courage of First Nations Victorians.
Victorian Deputy Premier, Jacinta Allan; Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman (pictured) joined with Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee members today at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.
“The contributions and bravery of First Nations people who have served is vital to the history of our country and for far too long they were not appropriately recognised – their sacrifices are a reminder of the importance of the work towards Voice, Treaty and Truth,” said Minister Williams.
Today’s service included the story of Charles Melbourne Johnston, an Aboriginal man who served in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War.
A brave and natural leader, Charles was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and mentioned three times in dispatches. Despite this, Charles’ Aboriginal heritage was hidden due to discriminatory enlistment standards.
His name now proudly appears on the Australian War Memorial’s First World War Indigenous service list.
“The Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service is a wonderful and important opportunity to remember and honour the lives and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have served and ensure their legacy lives on for future generations in the spirit of reconciliation,” said Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee member, Andrew Peters.
“First Nations people have served in conflicts and peacekeeping missions for Australia for more than a century. It’s so important that their service and sacrifice is acknowledged at memorial services such as these,” said Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman.
