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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service
men and women
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Thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people served for
our country during the First and Second World Wars and have committed
to subsequent service within the armed forces until today.
Some recognised service people include:
Oodgeroo Noonuccal who was a wireless operator and whose brothers were prisoners of war.
Reg Saunders served in Greece and New Guinea, as the first Aboriginal officer in the Australian Army, and later in Korea.
Leonard Waters trained and served as the first Aboriginal fighter pilot.
Charles Mene, a Torres Strait Islander, served throughout the war and was awarded the Military Medal in the Korean War.
Saulo Waia, a pearl fisher, defended the Strait with fellow soldiers while non-Indigenous people were evacuated.
Many Indigenous Australians gave years of service to the armed forces and received lower pay than white servicemen.
Reconciliation Queensland Inc. recognises the contributions of these
brave men and women, particularly those who fought for our country when
Indigenous people were not recognised as citizens.
Recognising these men and women on ANZAC day and at other services
assists in sharing the knowledge of the contributions of Indigenous
Australians.
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| Know an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander serviceman or woman in your community? |
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Why not create a wreath supporting Indigenous flag colours to provide
this acknowledgement. Local Indigenous community members or students
might present this at the memorial site, or members of the local
Reconciliation group could do this on behalf of the community.
A couple of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at an ANZAC
parade can also make people consider this recognition.
Trish Mene is the daughter of Charles Mene, has lived in Brisbane all her life after Charles retired from the Armed Services.
Charles Mene, a Torres Strait Islander, joined the armed forces on this
day 15/12/1939. He served throughout the Second World War, the
occupation of Japan and the Korean War where he won the Military
Medal. Despite the early ban on their enlistment, a number of
Aboriginal volunteers either claimed another nationality or just
renounced their Aboriginality. Some recruiting officers either through
indifference or confusion allowed Indigenous Australians to slip
through. Outstanding soldiers such as Reg Saunders and Charles Mene
slipped through and demonstrated that fears of disharmony between black
and white personnel were unfounded.
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