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TASMANIA UNVEILS FIRST ABORIGINAL MEMORIAL PLAQUE Reconciliation will take a giant step forward in Tasmania today when Australians For Reconciliation Tasmania and Aboriginal World War II veteran Uncle Ben Maynard unveil Tasmania’s first memorial plaque for Aboriginal veterans on Remembrance Day. Only the second such memorial in Australia, the Launceston plaque was organised by Australians for Reconciliation Tasmania, the Launceston Sub-Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in consultation with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Elders Association. Funding for the plaque was granted by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. Speaking at the launch of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Memorial Plaque at the Wall of Remembrance, Launceston Cenotaph, Tasmanian Aboriginal Vietnam Veteran, Rodney Summers said the event was important to Aboriginal people. "This day has been long in coming for Tasmanian Aboriginal Veterans," Mr Summers said. "When we served in the Armed Forces, our State did not recognise our identity. Today the State and the community pay acknowledgement to Tasmanian Aborigines who defended our country." The plaque will carry the Rising Sun and Tri Services Badge emblems. With approval from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Elders Association, it will carry the words: "Proudly dedicated in recognition of the Tasmanian Aborigines who served or fell in the defence of their country 1901 – 1999. Wreathes will be laid from the Aboriginal Elders Association and other community organisations as well as family and loved ones of Tasmanian Aboriginal Veterans. Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation member and Flinders Island elder, Alma Stackhouse OAM, called on RSLs across Australia to follow NSW and Tasmania’s lead in recognising Aboriginal Veterans. "It is an honour for Tasmania to have this memorial and it’s another example of Tasmania being at the forefront of reconciliation in this country," Mrs Stackhouse said. LAUNCESTON 11 NOVEMBER 1999 |
