Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony
Since 2006, the RSL Queensland Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony has been held annually to coincide with National Reconciliation Week.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that the following content may depict or refer to individuals who have died.
Recognising Indigenous service and legacy
The Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony acknowledges the contributions of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have served or sacrificed for Australia.
It has often been overlooked that many Indigenous veterans were denied the same rights and entitlements as other Australians who fought for their country, at the same time, in the same wars.
The Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony is an important opportunity to remind us of this injustice. The event also aims to create a deeper understanding of our military history, and deeper recognition of all who served, by helping to tell this story.
2025 Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony
Join us in person or online to honour Australia’s Indigenous service people, past and present.
Date and time
Saturday 31 May 2025 | 10am AEST
Location
Cairns Esplanade Cenotaph, 119 Esplanade, Cairns (Gimuy)
My passion comes from serving and protecting my country. [In the Torres Strait] Indigenous veterans were our role models, and we honour them because of our culture.
- Uncle Phillip Bowie,
Navy Indigenous Elder
This memorial service is a light shining on our national journey towards reconciliation. A strong, united nation that acknowledges all those that have served in its defence.
- Ray Rosendale CSM,
Navy veteran
Sharing yarns
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.
A permanent memorial to indigenous service
To mark National Reconciliation Week 2022, a memorial almost 10 years in the making was unveiled in ANZAC Square, Brisbane (Meanjin).
Mentoring the future generation of Indigenous veterans
Aunty Frances Visini spends her days preparing Indigenous Defence recruits for life in the Navy.
A proud warrior legacy
Navy veteran Marsat Ketchell, keynote speaker at the 2023 Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony, continues a proud warrior legacy.
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.
Defenders of the north
The Torres Strait Islands have played a significant role in the Australian military since WWII. We spoke with Torres Strait Islander veterans about this proud history and reflect on the 80th anniversary of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion (TSLIB) raising.
Sailor, protector, mentor
One of the first Torres Strait Islanders to join the Navy, RAN Indigenous Elder Uncle Phillip Bowie now mentors the next generation of Indigenous recruits.
Serving country and community
“It's one of the proudest periods in my life.” 2024 Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony keynote speaker Paul Walker reflects on his Army career, and the past and future of Indigenous service.
Indigenous veteran reflects on military career ahead of ceremony
When Indigenous veteran Ray Rosendale CSM attends the Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony in Brisbane on 28 May as a keynote speaker, he will reflect on his life in the Royal Australian Navy and reveal why it’s important to honour the thousands of Indigenous service people, both past and present, who have served and sacrificed for our nation.
