Touring exhibition Indigenous Australians at war from the Boer War to the present opens at the Western Australian Museum – Geraldton this week.

The exhibition from the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne presents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ stories from all over Australia, including from the Mid West region of Western Australia.

WA Museum – Geraldton Regional Manager Catherine Belcher said it is important to acknowledge the Aboriginal men and women who served their country during wars.

“We are honoured to display the stories about these Australians at the WA Museum – Geraldton,” Ms Belcher said.

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 local stories contributed by Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation have significant meaning to our community,” Ms Belcher said.

“An honour board listing the 136 Yamaji men and women, identified through extensive research by Bundiyarra and local families, who served Australia in past wars will also be on display.”

The opportunity to serve in Australia’s armed forces gave many people the experience of liberation from racial stereotypes for the first time. Oral histories reveal that while racism might have emerged behind the lines, when serving at the front line, all were alike in their concerns to survive and consider one another.

Indigenous Australians at war from the Boer War to the present begins on 19 September and ends 29 November 2015. The exhibition will then go on display at the WA Museum’s Perth, Albany and Kalgoorlie-Boulder sites.

“The exhibition will be launched at the WA Museum – Geraldton by Amangu Elder and Vietnam veteran Graham Taylor at 11.30am on 18 September and we invite members of the public to attend,” Ms Belcher said.

“Please call the Museum on 9921 5080 to RSVP.”

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.

 

Media contact
Sharna Craig
Media and Publicity Officer
Western Australian Museum
(08) 6552 7897  sharna.craig@museum.wa.gov.au