Indigenous flag could fly permanently at Blackwood war memorial

After months of debate and mounting community pressure, the indigenous flag could soon be a permanent fixture at a Hills war memorial site.

The indigenous flag could be flown permanently at the Blackwood and Hawthorn Memorial following months of controversy between veterans and Mitcham council.

Councillor Darren Kruse has revealed plans to lobby his council for the establishment of five new flag poles at Coromandel Parade, putting an end to a growing debate on whether the indigenous flag should be flown on a permanent basis.

The site currently has only three poles with flags flown stipulated by the Blackwood RSL.

This includes raising the indigenous flag only during NAIDOC and reconciliation week, Sorry Day, as well as a sign of respect following the death of an elder, in accordance with RSL SA flag policy.

However, community pressure has been mounting to see the flag flown permanently, a request quashed by Blackwood RSL members 27 to 4 at the July Annual General Meeting.

Cr Kruse said the establishment of an additional two poles would help find some common ground.

“We’ve had advice from Ian Smith, who is the co-chair of Aboriginal Veterans SA, and his suggestion is to fly five flags with the Australian and indigenous flags flying on a permanent basis,” Cr Kruse said.

“It’s a solution that should satisfy everybody…so I will go to council on August 10 with a motion asking for five equal (height) flag poles that will give permanent recognition to Aboriginal people.”

Mr Smith – who is the co-chair of Aboriginal Veterans SA – said it was only 50 years ago that indigenous soldiers were still facing racial discrimination.

“As such, I feel that (the memorial) should reflect indigenous values as well as what the RSL would like to do,” he said.

“That way we’ll have all soldiers who served recognised…and we need to reflect on the fact that Aboriginal service has not been appropriately recognised because they (at one point) weren’t allowed to participate in things other veterans were allowed to participate in.

Flags at the Blackwood Soldiers Memorial. Picture: Supplied

“Because the RSL was involved in some of that stuff, by excluding people from access to their premises, the RSL would want to have a very good reason to want to be involved in reconciliation and recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services. “

The debate of whether to fly the indigenous flag on a permanent basis first made headlines in early 2020, following an online campaign by Cr Kruse on behalf of the Blackwood Reconciliation Group.

It sparked heated debate between council members and the Blackwood RSL, whose members felt that military service should be recognised for the majority of the year.

Speaking at the July AGM, sub branch member Tony Mogridge said there was clear disconnect between veterans and some members of the community.

“To those people I say: “Consult with the ex-service community within the Mitcham council area and citizens of the Blackwood and districts, whose memorial it is, before pushing your agenda further,” he said.

“The Blackwood Soldiers Memorial is a place of remembrance for all who paid the supreme sacrifice and those who served irrespective of race, colour creed, religion or sex.”