In recent years recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders has belatedly increased. This event in Sydney is such an example.
Photographs of the Indigenous veterans ceremony are courtesy of Rob Tuckwell Photography and cannot be downloaded or printed or made available to anyone else without the author's express permission.
May 28 2010 and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association conduct a ceremony to recognise and honour the contribution of their veterans in the defence of Australia.
The event is held at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park Sydney. It is open to the Indigenous and wider veteran community as well as the general public and includes such dignitaries as Don Rowe (right), president of the NSW RSL.
A feature of the occasion is the traditional smoking ceremony with participants Steve Williams and Leon Burchill.
The smoking ceremony is a demonstration of Aboriginal peoples’ spiritual connection to the land.
The green leaves of plants are placed on a fire.
The smoke covers the bodies of the ceremony’s participants purifying them as well as cleansing the surrounding area. Leon and Steve are calling out to the spirits of their ancestors to tell them that they have come as friends.
Smoking ceremonies are often seen at important events like births and deaths or when the construction of a building is begun.
The ceremony continues with singing, dancing and other entertainments.
Many school students have been involved in the memorial ceremony. Here are dancers from Matraville Sports High School.
The Kings School Flag Party
Students from Darlington Public School stand in front of the Pool of Reflection.
Here a wreath is passed from the dignitaries to two students from Camdenville Public School. They then wade further into the Pool of Reflection and release the wreath to float on the water.
The ceremony remembering our Indigenous veterans was first held in 2007. It is an annual event.