The Coloured Digger event and Anzac Day March commemorates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who served our country in overseas conflicts. This year marked the 17th year of the march down Redfern Street.
First Nations personnel, veterans and families like Melinda Chouhan are pleased to be involved. Melinda said: “I’m here with my family and my husband Harpal. I am a proudly serving RAAF officer and proud Koori woman. I am especially honoured to commemorate this occasion with my children, who are the next generation to remember and pay respect to those that served before.”
Over 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples served in World War 1 and around 70 fought at Gallipoli. An estimated 3,000 Aboriginal and 850 Torres Strait Islander peoples served in World War 2. On returning home, they were denied soldier settlement lands, RSL membership, military funerals, respect and the other benefits given to those they had fought alongside.
See more photos by Michelle Hayward of The Coloured Digger event below.
You can also see Michelle’s photos of the ANZAC Day March in the CBD on our website here.
