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Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service

A wreath laying to honour the service and sacrifice of First Peoples men and women.

Event Details

Date:
Friday 31 May 2024 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location:
Second World War Forecourt, Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne, VIC 3001
Details:
  • Admission is free.
  • This venue is wheelchair accessible.
  • This event is child-friendly.

This annual service honours the significant contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service people have made, and continue to make, in the Australian Defence Force.

Aboriginal people have served in every conflict and peacekeeping mission involving Australia for more than a century. For many years the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal service men and women had not been adequately recognised and commemorated.

In 2006, the late Aunty Dot Peters AM and then-President of the Healesville Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL), Retired Flight Sergeant Sam Halim, held the first remembrance service to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women.

Today, most other states in Australia host services to honour the military service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women. The annual Service gives all Victorians the opportunity to come together during Reconciliation Week to pay their respects and honour the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Defence personnel, who have served or continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force.

In the spirit of Aboriginal self-determination, the Victorian Government is working alongside the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee to deliver the Service.

Attendees are welcome to attend a luncheon after the service. Click below to register your attendance at the luncheon, and receive updates about the event.

Register now

Shrine Representative:

  • Shrine Governor Commander Terry Makings AM

Watch the livestream


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