ARTWORK STORY
This work from the Aboriginal Diggers series reflects the long and often overlooked history of Aboriginal people who served in Australia’s wars, yet returned home to little or no recognition for their service. Many Aboriginal men enlisted in World War I despite facing discrimination in their own country. Some could not read or write and were required to sign with an X when enlisting.
Although many Aboriginal men fought alongside other Australians, they were denied the rights, respect and benefits granted to non-Indigenous soldiers after the war. When Aboriginal diggers returned home, they were not granted the parcels of land promised to them and given to white returned soldiers. Many were not even provided with train or bus fares to get home, and were pushed to the margins of welcome home celebrations. Their loyalty and sacrifice were not met with equal treatment.
The series also connects this history to the Coloured Diggers March, a significant annual Anzac Day event held in Redfern, Sydney, which honours the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen. The march became an important act of remembrance and protest, recognising Aboriginal servicemen whose contributions had long been overlooked.
ARTWORK STORY
This work from the Aboriginal Diggers series reflects the long and often overlooked history of Aboriginal people who served in Australia’s wars, yet returned home to little or no recognition for their service. Many Aboriginal men enlisted in World War I despite facing discrimination in their own country. Some could not read or write and were required to sign with an X when enlisting.
Although many Aboriginal men fought alongside other Australians, they were denied the rights, respect and benefits granted to non-Indigenous soldiers after the war. When Aboriginal diggers returned home, they were not granted the parcels of land promised to them and given to white returned soldiers. Many were not even provided with train or bus fares to get home, and were pushed to the margins of welcome home celebrations. Their loyalty and sacrifice were not met with equal treatment.
The series also connects this history to the Coloured Diggers March, a significant annual Anzac Day event held in Redfern, Sydney, which honours the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen. The march became an important act of remembrance and protest, recognising Aboriginal servicemen whose contributions had long been overlooked.
