A History Told: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Memorial
By Anzac Square Memorial Galleries | 9 May 2023
Image: PixelFrame for State Library of Queensland
“When you look at the history of Indigenous military for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, there's a history that's not been told... And this is just one story... that needs to be told.”
On 27 May 2022, a dedicated memorial to Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women was unveiled in Anzac Square.
Created to honour, respect and remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women of Queensland who have served and sacrificed their lives for our country, the sculpture is one of only a few memorials to Indigenous veterans in Australia.
Image: Anzac Square Memorial Galleries
Cast in bronze, the memorial features life-sized figures standing on a ‘Journey Stone’. Navy, Army and Air Force are represented alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander warriors/dancers, depicting a story of embarkation from home via air, land and sea.
The memorial project was funded by Federal, State and Local governments as well as philanthropists and private sector organisations, working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dedicated Memorial Queensland Incorporated (ATSIDMQI) to represent past, present and future Indigenous service, and to convey 'the culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their contributions to our shared military history’.
Image: Anzac Square Memorial Galleries
The ATSIDQMI committee worked in partnership with Griffith University, combining the skills and knowledge of master sculptor Liam Hardy of Sculpt Studios with Indigenous artist and cultural advisor John Smith Gumbula to bring the memorial to life.
The President and Chair of the ATSIDQMI committee, Australian Army veteran and Quandamooka Elder Aunty Lorraine Hatton OAM, noted that “Queensland being the only state that has Torres Strait Islander Peoples is another reason the memorial is unique and truly, inclusively Indigenous.”
Image: Anzac Square Memorial Galleries
Griffith University has produced a film on the creation and unveiling of the monument. The film follows Liam Hardy through the process of bringing the design to fruition, and there is an insightful interview with John Smith Gumbula as he speaks about the symbolism and narratives incorporated in his traditional artwork featured on the Journey Stone.
Watching the film, what is truly awe-inspiring is the meticulous care paid to the appearance of the figures from faces to uniforms, as well as the imagination and skill employed to craft their unique personalities and expressions. The film concludes with an emotional unveiling of the stunning monument, attended by the Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk and the Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner. Indigenous veterans giving their impressions speak of remembering and recognising Indigenous service, and of the monument’s contribution to the taking of meaningful steps towards future reconciliation.
Click below to view the film.
Making the Anzac Square Indigenous Veterans’ Memorial
Discover Indigenous stories of service
At least 1,250 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders enlisted to serve their country in World War I, and State Library of Queensland has assembled a collection of images and stories of Indigenous service. Click here to view the gallery.
Indigenous Veterans' Ceremony
The 2023 Indigenous Veterans' Ceremony will be held at Anzac Square on Saturday 27 May, 11am-12pm. Anzac Square Memorial Galleries will be open special hours 10am-2pm on this day.
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