Rod Plant, Gordon Bradbery, Uncle Richard Archibald, Aunty Grace Gordon and didgeridoo player Peter Button. Picture: ADAM McLEAN
A monument has been added to the Wollongong Cenotaph to recognise indigenous servicemen and women.
The memorial plaque acknowledges "spirits finding their way home" and was unveiled yesterday as part of a wider bid to have the efforts of Aboriginal soldiers properly recognised.
Wollongong RSL Sub-Branch president Peter Poulton said the plaque was a reminder to the general public and not only the former service community.
"When you're in the army, navy or air force, colour makes no difference because you're all brothers in arms," he said.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery told the ceremony audience it was impossible to know how many Aboriginal men and women had served in World War II because many listed their nationality as Spanish to overcome restrictions against indigenous enlistment.
The audience included Armidale's Aunty Grace Gordon, whose brother Private Frank Archibald was killed in battle on the Kokoda Track.
"It means a lot to me, very much," said Mrs Gordon of yesterday's service.
Private Archibald's cousin, Richard, formed the Frank Archibald Kokoda Campaign to send family members to his gravesite for a culturally appropriate Aboriginal ceremony. He was the last remaining male relative able to put Frank's spirit to rest.