Aboriginal veterans to lead Anzac Day dawn service at National War Memorial in Adelaide

Plans are under way to host Australia’s first dawn service led by Indigenous veterans at the National War Memorial in Adelaide.

They were persecuted, stolen from their families and not counted as part of the population in Australia until 1967.

But when the time came to fight for Australia, thousands of Aboriginal men didn’t hesitate to join their brothers-in-arms on the battlefield.

At least 450 South Australian Aboriginal veterans are known to have served and died in conflicts around the world since the early 1900s, including World War I, World War II and Vietnam. Until now, their stories have largely gone untold.

But for this Anzac Day, plans are under way to host what is believed to be Australia’s first Aboriginal-led dawn service at the National War Memorial in Adelaide.

The morning will feature an all Aboriginal catafalque party, a welcome to country and smoking ceremony, and music by singer/songwriter, Vonda Last, who will perform her hit song For Love of Country instead of one of the traditional hymns.

This year, for the first time, Adelaide’s dawn service at the national war memorial, will be led by an all-Aboriginal cast. Frank Lampard (army), Alec Houthuuysen (Hill), (air force), and Matty Moore (navy), will be attending. Picture: Dean Martin

An Aboriginal defence force padre will also travel to Adelaide from NSW.

Anzac Day Committee chairman Ian Smith said while Anzac Day was to pay tribute to all veterans, it was also an opportunity to educate.

“There have always been themes for Anzac Day, including prisoners of war and before that we had women who served in the Australian Defence Force,” he said.

“So this year, the service will have a very strong Aboriginal feel and we look forward to honouring the people who have served in the defence force but have largely been under-recognised in the past.

“From South Australia, we know of about 450 Aboriginal veterans, the bulk of whom served in WWII, but there were also 65 soldiers that were active in WWI.

“Since then, of course, dozens served in the Vietnam era where they got called up for national service, and [they served in] Korea, Malaya-Borneo, and even more recently in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

Mr Smith said this year’s dawn service could be a first for Australia.

“I do keep an eye on what happens in other states … and I don’t believe anything has been done to this extent, certainly not at a state level,” he said.

Army veteran Frank Lampard said this year’s event would help bring closure to many Aboriginal families, including his own.

“There’s a lot of history there and it needs to be told,” he said.

“It’s important that we recognise their services to this country.”