Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service 2024

Last Friday 31st May, as part of Reconciliation Week, many First Nations’ students accompanied Mrs Rosinski to the annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration Service at Hyde Park War Memorial. We travelled with other teachers and students from the Parramatta Diocese and members of the Jarara team. 

The service combined conventional military protocols, such as the Mounting of Catafalque party and wreath laying with Indigenous ceremonial protocols; a warm welcome to Gadigal country by Uncle Allen Madden; and, didgeridoo playing with a traditional smoking ceremony. 

The moving ceremony featured the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, students, as well as current serving and veterans of the Australian Defence Force. The commemorative address was given by Squadron Leader Patricia Thompson, a former teacher who followed her life goal of joining the army to become an Senior Indigenous Liaison Officer with the Air Force.

Students were inspired and impressed by the ceremony and their tour of both the War Memorial and the Yininmadyemi Memorial at Hyde Park. Our students made new friends and caught up with old acquaintances. They were attentive and respectful in honouring the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who have fought for Australia through many theatres of war. 

Special thanks to Dr. Kennaugh for allowing the group to attend this important event, Mrs Welch for purchasing the beautiful wreath that Ava Bylsma and Chloe Mates laid at the Cenotaph. Thank you too to Mr McLoughlin for driving us to and from Jarara on the day.

A special thanks to all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans for their service and sacrifice for Australia. 

We will remember them.