By JONATHON HOWARD
INDIGENOUS Affairs Minister and Noosa MP Glen Elmes has used the opening of NAIDOC Week to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women.
Mr Elmes joined Premier Campbell Newman, cabinet ministers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander returned servicemen, during a flag-raising ceremony at Parliament House on Monday morning which also marked the start of NAIDOC Week.
“This ceremony and the 2014 NAIDOC Week theme of Serving Country: Centenary and Beyond recognises the many Indigenous service personnel who have contributed so much to Australia’s military effort,” Mr Newman said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers have represented Australia from the Boer War to the present day.
“They became soldiers, sailors and airmen, fighting and dying alongside other Australians on battlefields across the world and were awarded decorations for valour, including the Distinguished Conduct Medal – second in significance only to the Victoria Cross.
“Many were treated as equals for the first time in their lives as soldiers, but on returning home they received few of the accolades bestowed on their non-Indigenous comrades.
“This NAIDOC celebration presents us with an opportunity to correct that injustice.”
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs Glen Elmes, said the service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers had often gone unrecognised.
“Most Australians are familiar with the achievements of Australia’s Indigenous sports people, entertainers and other high achievers,” Mr Elmes said.
“Not so well known is the contribution made by thousands of Indigenous men and women to our nation’s war efforts before and since Federation.
“It’s amazing they chose to join up as they were not classed as citizens, had no right to vote and could not even enter a bar. Despite that, they served with pride and distinction.”
This event is the first to start a week-long program in celebration of NAIDOC Week. For more information on NAIDOC Week visit www.naidoc.org.au/
