Veterans honoured during National Reconciliation Week

First Nations veterans have been honoured at the 2025 Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service which will be held at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park in Sydney.

The service is hosted by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans & Services Association and is proudly supported by the NSW Government, the education sector and RSL NSW.

Minister for Veterans and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris attended the service alongside other dignitaries to pay tribute and honour the service and sacrifice of Indigenous veterans and recognise their contributions to the defence of our nation.

“As a proud descendant of the Gudjala people, a veteran of 23 years in the Royal Australian Air Force, and inaugural RAAF Indigenous Elder, it is pleasing to see this important commemoration continue to take place, honouring the service and sacrifice of Indigenous veterans.” Uncle Harry Allie AM BEM Chair Indigenous Veterans Commemoration said.

“My family’s connection to Defence, and service to our nation commenced with my uncle in the Great War and another uncle, my aunty and father in the Second World War. Like many other Indigenous veterans have experienced, there were mixed feelings about our inclusion early on, but our commitment to service in the Navy, Air Force or Army has never wavered.

“This commemoration continues to offer an opportunity to educate current and future generations of the service and the sacrifice given by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans. To have so many schools and students attending the commemoration here at the Anzac Memorial, or able to view the livestream, is wonderful to see and I hope that each of them has learnt a little more about the contributions made by Indigenous veterans.”

The commemoration was attended by schools and focuses on educating the next generation on the history of Indigenous contributions to our defence forces, spanning from the Boer War in 1899 through to recent operations and peacekeeping.

This year’s commemoration were also attended by schools participating in the second annual NSW Government Regional Youth Program. This program provides the opportunity for schools from each of the three school sectors to travel from regional NSW to Sydney to attend the Commemoration.

This year students from St Raphael’s Catholic School in Cowra, Clarence Valley Anglican School in Grafton and Kooringal High School in Wagga Wagga had the opportunity to participate in the service.

Students had the opportunity to meet members of the organising committee including Chair, Uncle Harry Allie who served in the Air Force and Mr Dave Williams who served in the Navy. Master of Ceremonies, Squadron Leader Coen Henry and guest speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph West who will share their personal experiences as current serving members of the Defence Force.

Events took place across the country from Cairns in Qld to Perth in WA.