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Special Gympie ceremony will honour Indigenous service people

The ceremony will commemorate the “thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women (who) have fought and defended Australia in the military service”, but have not had their contributions duly recognised.

Gympie emerging elder Russell Bennet will play a central part in a ceremony dedicated to all known and unknown Indigenous soldiers at Memorial Park on Monday.
Gympie emerging elder Russell Bennet will play a central part in a ceremony dedicated to all known and unknown Indigenous soldiers at Memorial Park on Monday.

All known and unknown Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women will be honoured with a dedication ceremony at Memorial Park on Monday afternoon.

Gympie Regional Council announced the event late this week to commemorate the “thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women (who) have fought and defended Australia in the military service”, but have not had their contributions duly recognised.

Aunty Lillian Burke in Gympie's Memorial Park
Aunty Lillian Burke in Gympie's Memorial Park

The ceremony will begin with Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and song by Russell Bennet and Gordon Browning.

Gympie RSL President John Herlihy and ANZAC Centenary Advisory Board Member Dr Jackie Huggins AM will then “address the significance and involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander military service people and their return to civilian life”.

Mayor Glen Hartwig and Aunty Lillian Burke will unveil a new monument to “provide a perpetual honour for First Nations military service” followed by a laying of wreaths lead by Mayor Hartwig, reading of the Ode by returned servicemen Uncle Eric Law and playing of the Last Post followed by the Rouse.

Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig.
Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig.

The council invites returned and current service personnel, First Nations community members, the Gympie region community and distinguished guests to join in and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women at the dedication ceremony.

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Service personnel are encouraged to wear military medals, and community groups and residents are welcome to bring a wreath to lay at the monument.

For more visit https://www.gympie.qld.gov.au/reconciliation.

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/gympie/special-gympie-ceremony-will-honour-indigenous-service-people/news-story/226427d6860d0ea0618175b025d2f47a