In Defence of Country and Identity

1 July, 2016

Remembering our Servicemen and Servicewomen: Those Who Fell, and Those Who Returned

Thousands of people including the NSW Governor gathered in Hyde Park in Sydney recently, to commemorate the work and sacrifices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen in defence of country.

The event was held at the NSW War Memorial for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers, a confronting series of four standing bullets and three fallen shells, created by artist Tony Albert.

Commemoration at Hyde Park, Sydney. Image: OurMob

The memorial Yininmadyemi Thou Didst Let Fall was unveiled in 2015, with the aim of providing a place of contemplation and remembrance, and an annual event honouring the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen and their families.

OurMob spoke with Uncles Villington Lui, Cliff Daylight, Harry Allie and David Williams about why they joined the defence forces, and what it’s meant to them in the years since.

The OurMob video package of the day is below.

Uncle Villington Lui, featured in the OurMob video package. Image: OurMob
Uncle Cliff Daylight with his wife Gail, featured in the OurMob video package. Image: OurMob
Uncle Harry Allie, featured in the OurMob video package. Image: OurMob
Uncle David Williams, featured in the OurMob video package. Image: OurMob

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

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