By Jed Lanyon
The Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service paid tribute to the thousands of First Nations men and women who have served in the Australian Armed Forces on Sunday 31 May.
The service was held for the first time following the passing of Aunty Dot Peters, who was instrumental in establishing the service in honour of her father, who died as a prisoner of war while working on the Thai-Burma Railway.
Dot’s son, Andrew Peters, spoke at the service which was held online.
The Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service has been held since 2006 to formally recognise and honour the service of Aboriginal Victorians throughout history.
Thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women have fought for Australia, but it took many years for their contributions to be formally acknowledged and honoured.
The tradition started when Aunty Dot approached Healesville RSL and asked for them to be involved in Reconciliation Week.
A didgeridoo was played alongside the ode at Healesville RSL as a way of honouring Dot’s father. The next year the Aboriginal flag was raised at a service held at the Shrine of Remembrance and other services Australia wide.
Mr Peters previously told Star Mail, “It’s as much a gratification that the powers that be see this issue as being really important, that’s the recognition of Aboriginal service in the war effort.”
“For mum personally, it was a justification of what her father sacrificed for the family and for his country. And then what her mother had sacrificed as well by not stirring the pot. As Aboriginal people, they received a tiny fraction of the compensation of what white soldiers received.
“From a personal point of view she did it for her dad and mum, but it was a national issue that she created. It was really satisfying for her and I just can’t describe the pride you feel.”
Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Garbrielle Williams said, “Many thousands of Aboriginal Victorians have proudly served Australia in every conflict since Federation – their strength and resilience must be acknowledged.”
“To have offered service to a country that did not recognise you as one of its own is a mark of true selflessness and we honour that remarkable commitment.”
