Tears in the park as Gympie gathers to mark ‘monumental’ day
Mayor Glen Hartwig and Elder Aunty Lillian Burke unveiled a new monument in Memorial Park on Monday to honour all known and unknown Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women.
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Monumental. Historic. Emotional. Tremendously significant.
These were some of the words used to describe the unveiling in Gympie’s Memorial Park on Monday of a monument to honour all the known and unknown Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women.
The ceremony marked the end of a long journey for the woman who has been pushing for it for years - Gympie Elder Aunty Lillian Burke.
A large crowd and multiple guest speakers turned out under perfect winter skies to witness the event.
Aunty Lillian broke down after unveiling the granite and quartz monument, the Mayor putting an arm around her shoulders in a touching and fitting illustration of his council’s support and determination to make the monument a reality.
Auntie Lillian, described by Mr Hartwig as a “quiet achiever’ and a stalwart of the First Nations and broader community, had been on a long journey to make the monument happen, the crowd heard.
But almost a year ago, Mr Hartwig said one of his councillors - Dolly Jensen - “came bounding” into his office and ”made it clear this was an area where our council had failed”.
The fact it had still taken almost 12 months was embarrassing, Mr Hartwig said. And he apologised.
“This is a monumental day for the Gympie region,” he said. “It is a very personal day for our community and certainly for our First Australians.”
Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien described it as a “tremendously significant day” and congratulated the Gympie Regional Council and all those involved in making it happen.
“This is something that has been sorely needed,” he said.
When Aunty Lillian got up to speak she recalled how Cr Jensen took her to 4 Mile Quarry to pick out the stone, which was donated by the quarry owners Brett and Jodie Johnson.
When she touched the rock she felt a “nice calm feeling” and when she walked away to look at some others that might be used for the monument she was very quickly called back to that one.
“It’s finally here. It’s hard to believe and it’s very emotional for me,” Aunty Lillian told the crowd.
Thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women have fought and defended Australia in the military service. While they have sacrificed their lives alongside fellow Australians, First Nations people’s military contribution and cultural heritage has not always been duly recognised.
The ceremony started 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 spoke of 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 unveiled the new monument, which will provide a perpetual honour for First Nations military service. The ceremony incorporated the laying of wreaths led by Mr Hartwig, reading of the Ode by returned servicemen Uncle Eric Law and playing of the Last Post followed by the Rouse.
The ceremony was attended by returned and current service personnel, First Nations community members, and members of the community.
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Originally published as Tears in the park as Gympie gathers to mark ‘monumental’ day
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