Moving Ceremony Honours Indigenous Diggers

Mayor Lachlan Ford and Bourke Shire Council GM Leonie Brown lay a wreath at BACHS Remembrance Day. Photo TWH

A moving ceremony was held at the Bourke Aboriginal Corporation Health Service on Friday to honour indigenous servicemen and women from the Bourke Shire. The ceremony is an annual event held during NAIDOC week to remember the 24 known indigenous defence personnel who fought in wars or were involved in peace-keeping operations.

Bourke RSL Vice Present Kelly Lienesch opened the service with a tribute to the 24 people whose names are on the plaque in the grounds of BACHS premises. Kelly, who served in Australia’s defence force and is a proud Aboriginal woman, said the plaque and the annual NAIDOC service was a fitting tribute to those who fought for their country, many at a time when they were not recognised as Australian citizens.

“Australia has always had many Aboriginal people who fought in conflict and served in peacekeeping operations, and today we give thanks to those whose names are on this plaque,” she said. […]

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