Coloured Diggers March remembers indigenous service
Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Redfern to remember the service of indigenous Australians on Anzac Day — giving current serviceman the recognition their ancestors were not.
When those indigenous diggers who were lucky enough returned from the horrors of World War I, their bravery was instantly forgotten at a time when they couldn’t enter a pub or gain Australian citizenship.
In 2007 the Coloured Diggers March was established in tribute for the 500 to 600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who enlisted for the Great War, and all those who served since from Vietnam to the Middle East.
Today hundreds of their ancestors, supporters and past and present armed service men and women walked the streets of Redfern in recognition of the indigenous contribution to Australia’s defence.
They marched from the Redfern Community Centre in the heart of The Block to Redfern Oval, where Babana Aboriginal Corporation chair Mark Spinks told the crowd Anzac Day was about “honour and respect” for all who served.
Mr Spinks wore the medals of his grandfather, Bill Spinks, who served alongside his three brothers in World War I — his siblings did not return.
“I wear his medals with dignity, honour and respect. And I feel by wearing my grandfather’s medals … he’s marching with me,” he said.
“My grandfather was a stretcher-bearer. He went to the front lines on so many occasions and brought wounded comrades back.
“I don’t know if I could ever honour that man.”
Tales were shared of men believed to have lied about their name and background to enlist in the army, or those who came back for a second stint after being medically discharged.
Dignitaries including NSW Governor David Hurley, Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Sydney federal Labor MP Tanya Plibersek marched alongside diggers and their families.
Gov Hurley, a regular face at the march, said the event was an opportunity for all Australians to connect with and correct history.
“It has enabled us to reconnect and rediscover an important part of our history that I think we have often neglected or been ignorant of,” he said.
“That is the treatment of Aboriginal service men and women, particularly servicemen, when they came back from the first World War. The discrimination they received back in a country they left behind while still in uniform.”
Ms Plibersek, who has attended every Coloured Diggers March since the event’s foundation, said she was proud to see it become “more meaningful” every year.
“We have to continue to uncover the history of this country … including the history of indigenous service to this country,” she said.
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