2011 Redfern Aboriginal ANZAC Day Commemoration

2011 Commemorative ceremony moves to Redfern Community Centre

ANZAC Day Program: Monday 25th April 2011

• 12:45pm: Redfern Park War Memorial wreath laying ceremony
• 1:00pm:  March to Redfern Community Centre
• 1:30pm:  Gather at Redfern Community Centre for commemorative ceremony and entertainment
• 4:30pm:  Close

The whole community is welcome to join Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen and their families at the 2011 Redfern Aboriginal ANZAC Day commemorative service and march.    

This year has a special  focus on honouring our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sistas, Mothers, Aunties and Grandmothers.    Some served in our armed forces.  Those who stayed home held our families and communities together. They cared for and comforted their men when they returned from war and helped them adjust back to 'normal' family and community life.

The Redfern Aboriginal ANZAC Day Commemoration:

• appropriately honours, recognizes and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen.
• raises awareness in the wider community about the service and sacrifices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families.
• highlights the need for greater recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Servicemen and Servicewomen in official commemorative ceremonies and at memorials.

In a change from previous years, the 2011 commemoration will commence with a wreath laying ceremony at the Redfern Park War Memorial, followed by a march to The Block for a formal commemorative service  and community gathering  at the Redfern Community Centre.

2011 Redfern Aboriginal ANZAC Day Commemoration Fact Sheet

While Aboriginal servicemen and servicewomen were usually treated as equals in the armed forces, conditions for  the families of some Aboriginal servicemen were tough.  Some of our Diggers returned to find that while they had been away fighting for their country their wives had been denied access to their pay, or even worse, that their children had been taken and placed in institutions. Some of those Stolen Generations children live in Redfern today.  

Aboriginal servicemen and servicewomen  returned to a country dominated by racism and the White Australia Policy and where their heroism, service and sacrifice for their country was ignored. Many  were denied the  honour,  recognition and respect accorded to other servicemen and servicewomen:

• In some towns Aboriginal Diggers were not permitted to march with their non Indigenous comrades on ANZAC Day or join them in after march events. 
• Many did not gain access to Veteran's health care, housing and other benefits.
  
• The names of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Diggers were omitted from war memorials in cities and towns across the length and breadth of Australia.  

But families and communities didn't forget. And now two, three and more generations later,  veterans, family, and the community are  publicly and appropriately acknowledging the service, sacrifice and courage of our servicemen and servicewomen.  

The Redfern march and service on ANZAC Day gives some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people their first opportunity to honour, recognise and pay respect to grandfathers, fathers, mothers and aunties and uncles. For some of our people, the Redfern march and service and others like it give ANZAC Day real meaning for the first time.

This year's Redfern Commememoration specifically recognises the contributions of our Sistas, Mothers, Aunties and Grandmothers who stayed home.

The Redfern Commemoration is an affirmation of community, family and mateship. It is not a celebration of war and violence.  Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non Indigenous people come together at this event.

The Redfern ANZAC Day has prompted calls by NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diggers and their families for a commemorative sculpture or memorial recognising their service and sacrifice.   The Redfern Aboriginal ANZAC Day organising committee  has been lobbying the City of Sydney and the NSW Government for  such a memorial for more than five years. Despite  initial  interest,  it appears this official recognition is still a long way from being a reality.  

To give people an opportunity to participate in the main Sydney march and other ANZAC Day events the Redfern commemoration is held in the early afternoon.

Lest we Forget