Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are advised that the following content may depict or refer to people who have died.

 

2023 Indigenous Veterans' Ceremony

The 2023 Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony will acknowledge the contributions of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have served or sacrificed for Australia.  

First Nations Australians have served in every war and conflict since the Boer War, despite being prohibited from military service and denied equal rights and veterans’ benefits for many decades. 

The Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony is an opportunity to commemorate Indigenous veterans’ invaluable contribution, to acknowledge the injustices many of them faced, and to create a deeper understanding of Australia’s military history. 

Ceremony Details 

Since 2006, the RSL Queensland Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony has been held annually in Brisbane (Meanjin) to coincide with National Reconciliation Week. 

Join us in person or online to honour Australia’s Indigenous service people, past and present. 

Date: Saturday 27 May 2023 | Time: 11-11:45am 

Location: Shrine of Remembrance, ANZAC Square, Ann Street, Brisbane (Meanjin).

Watch Livestream

Indigenous Veterans' Ceremony

SHARING YARNS

Kim Brolga Williams Indigenous Veterans' Ceremony

Indigenous Artist Captures Spirit of Remembrance

As we approach National Reconciliation Week, we look back to 2020 and a Beaudesert Indigenous artist who found a new spirit of remembrance through art.

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Torres Strait Light Infantry BN

Military Service in the Torres Strait

Torres Strait Islander veterans share the military history of their region and the contributions of Indigenous veterans since WWI. 

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Aunty Frances

Mentoring Future Indigenous Veterans

Aunty Frances Visini spends her days preparing Indigenous Defence recruits for life in the Navy.  This is the story of her journey into this pioneering role. 

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Navy veteran Marsat Ketchell

A Proud Warrior Legacy

Navy veteran Marsat Ketchell, keynote speaker at the 2023 Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony, continues a proud warrior legacy. 

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Ray Rosendale

Recognising Indigenous Service

First Nations Australians have served in our armed forces ever since Federation. But in many ways, they weren’t treated the same as other veterans.

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Indigenous Veterans' Ceremony

Indigenous Memorial IMMORTALISES Service

As we approach National Reconciliation Week, we look back to 2022 and a memorial to honour indigenous service.

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Indigenous Veterans' Gallery

Explore our gallery of Indigenous veterans and read the stories behind the photos. Proudly supplied by the State Library of Queensland.

Indigenous Veterans' Ceremony design