Indigenous Australians at war from the Boer War to the present opens at the Western Australian Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder this week.

This touring exhibition from the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne presents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ stories from all over Australia, including Western Australia.

WA Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder Regional Manager Zoe Scott said it is important to acknowledge Aboriginal men and women who served their country during wars.

“We are honoured to display the stories of these proud men and women here in Kalgoorlie-Boulder,” Ms Scott said.

“So many indigenous men and women contributed to Australia’s overseas defence efforts, from training mounts for the Light Horse units in World War One to serving in Norforce in the 1980s, and today men and women are doing duty as peacekeepers in trouble spots around the world. This exhibition is one way of recognizing their contributions.”

Indigenous Australians at war from the Boer War to the present covers indigenous people’s wartime contributions in the Boer War (1899-1902), First World War (1914-18), Second World War (1939-45), Korean War (1950-53), Vietnam War (1963-75), and in subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping.

“The opportunity to serve in Australia’s armed forces gave many people the experience of liberation from racial stereotypes for the first time,” Ms Scott said.

“Oral histories reveal that while racism might have emerged behind the lines, when serving at the front line all were equal in their concerns to survive and consider one another.”

Indigenous Australians at war from the Boer War to the present begins on 26 August and ends 23 October 2016.

The Shrine of Remembrance’s Shrine Trustees are proud to present Indigenous Australians at war from the Boer War to the present and gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions of the Australian Government and Linfox that have enabled the exhibition to tour nationally.

http://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/kalgoorlie-boulder/indigenous-australians-war-boer-war-present

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Media contact
Sharna Craig
Media and Publicity Officer
Western Australian Museum
sharna.craig@museum.wa.gov.au