16/05/2011

WA Indigenous veterans to be honoured

Indigenous veterans from across the metro area will join VIP guests, school students and members of the public to recognise the important service and sacrifice of Indigenous veterans at a ceremony on June 1.

Special guest speaker at the event will be Member for Balcatta and former State Minister John Kobelke MLA. Other VIPs include Indigenous WA magistrate Dr Sue Gordon and Indigenous veteran and Honouring Indigenous War Graves Chairperson John Schnaars.

“Aboriginal veterans have contributed to the defence of our nation and the values of this country and it is important to remember this during National Reconciliation Week,” said Mr Schnaars.

The ceremony is part of National Reconciliation Week 2011, which takes place nationally from 27 May to 3 June to encourage reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The service will be held at the State War Memorial in Kings Park on Wednesday June 1 at 10.00am.  All Indigenous veterans and their families, as well members of the public are invited to attend.

The ceremony has been organised by a committee of people, including Indigenous veterans; the Department of Veterans' Affairs; Returned and Services League; Department of Indigenous Affairs; Legacy, Honouring Indigenous War Graves; and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

For more information about the ceremony or to interview an Indigenous veteran from your local area, contact June Cuneo, Commemorations Officer, Dept of Veterans’ Affairs on 9366 8465 or email june.cuneo@dva.gov.au.