Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that the following content may depict or refer to individuals who have died. 

 

2024 Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony

Saturday 25 May 

The 2024 Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony will acknowledge 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 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. 

Ceremony Details 

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

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


Date: Saturday 25 May 2024 | Time: 10-10.45am

Location: Cairns Esplanade Cenotaph, 119 Esplanade, Cairns (Gimuy)

Watch Livestream (from 10am on 25 May)

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.