Many Diggers returned home from international conflicts to
find their bravery, service and sacrifice barely recognised and to face a
continuation of the White Australia Policy. Some returned to find that while
they had been away fighting for their country their children had been taken
from their home and placed in institutions. Others found their families were denied
access to their pay and other benefits while they were away. Later on,
Aboriginal Diggers were not permitted to march with their comrades on ANZAC Day
or to join with them in after-march events.

The acts of bravery of these men and women have however
always been proudly recognised and respected by the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander families and communities they represented and by many of their
fellow servicemen and servicewomen.

During the 2nd World War, Sapper Bert Beros wrote a special
poem called “The Coloured Digger” about one of his comrades, Private West.
Bert Beros’ poem (copy at foot of this page) is one of the inspirations behind
this project.

People in the broader community are also now wanting to
support Aboriginal people by giving appropriate recognition and respect to our
Unsung Heroes. However, others in the community are completely unaware of the
wartime contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The 2006
and 2007 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ANZAC Day events were held in
recognition of all these factors.

On ANZAC Day 2006, Aboriginal church leaders and
non-Aboriginal people in Redfern conducted a special ANZAC Day memorial service.
This service began the process of recognising, respecting and commemorating the
memory of those brave Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diggers and other
servicemen and women and recognising their service in the defence of our
country in world conflicts.

The Coloured Digger project is being undertaken by the
Babana Aboriginal Mens Group Inc. in cooperation with the Aboriginal Churches
Partnership of Redfern and Waterloo.
The Aboriginal churches Partnership includes representatives of the Aboriginal
Catholic Ministry; Anglican Diocese of Sydney-Crossroads Aboriginal Ministries,
Redfern; Koorie Lighthouse Ministries, Redfern; and the Uniting Church (UAICC).
Babana Mens Group Inc. is not-for-profit organisation comprising Aboriginal and
Non Aboriginal men seeking to achieve socially beneficial outcomes in Redfern and
Waterloo and to
support, enable and empower Aboriginal men and families in the community.(see www.treocom.net/babana/ ).

The Coloured Digger Project Steering Committee thanks Reg
Lynch for allowing use of “TheColoured Digger” logo.

On ANZAC Day 2007, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal servicemen
and service women and supporters marched through Redfern to an ecumenical service
at St Saviours Anglican Church. Redfern’s Damien Minton Gallery hosted an
associated “Coloured Diggers” art exhibition displaying works by 30 Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal artists, each drawing on related themes, such as the
contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Islander servicemen and servicewomen and
ongoing discrimination against them upon their return to civilian life.
Included in the exhibition was a model of a memorial sculpture to Aboriginal
Diggers by acclaimed Aboriginal artist and bronze work sculptor, Anthony
Symonds.

The 2006 and 2007 events did much to raise awareness of the
contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and
servicewomen.

ANZAC Day, Redfern, Friday 25 April, 2008

On ANZAC Day 2008, a street march, ecumenical commemorative
service at St Saviours Anglican Church and artist’s exhibition at the Damien
Minton Gallery will again be held in Redfern.

During the ecumenical service a Roll of Honour bearing names
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen who
participated in the 2007 Redfern ANZAC Day events and of other Aboriginal
servicemen and servicewomen will be formally unveiled during the St Saviours
service. This truly unique Roll of Honour is being prepared by celebrated
Redfern Aboriginal artist Adam Hill.

2008 Redfern ANZAC Day program

1.00pm: Assemble at
The Block, Redfern

1.15pm: March to St Saviours Church, Redfern

1.45pm: St Saviours
Church Ecumenical Service

3.45pm: Service
Finish

• Service followed by afternoon tea in St Saviours Church
  Hall from 3.45 – 4.30pm

• Transport available for those unable to march but wanting
  to travel with the marchers

Contacts:

Ray Minniecon:
        0417 929 701

David Williams:        0409 813 741

Harry Allie:               (02) 8255 7614

“ The Coloured Digger ” Project

Honouring ,
recognising and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander servicemen and servicewomen

The Coloured Digger project is being undertaken by the
Babana Aboriginal Mens Group Inc. in cooperation with the Aboriginal Churches
Partnership of Redfern and Waterloo.
The Aboriginal churches Partnership includes representatives of the Aboriginal
Catholic Ministry; Anglican Diocese of Sydney-Crossroads Aboriginal Ministries,
Redfern; Koorie Lighthouse Ministries, Redfern; and the Uniting Church (UAICC).
Babana Mens Group Inc. is not-for-profit organisation comprising Aboriginal and
Non Aboriginal men seeking to achieve socially beneficial outcomes in Redfern and
Waterloo and to
support, enable and empower Aboriginal men and families in the community.(see www.treocom.net/babana/ ).

The Coloured Digger Project Steering Committee thanks Reg
Lynch for allowing use of “The Coloured Digger” logo.

“The Coloured Digger”

He came and joined
the colours, when the War God’s anvil rang,

He took up modern
weapons to replace his boomerang,

He waited for no
call-up, he didn’t need a push,

He came in from the
stations, and the townships of the bush.

He helped when help
was wanting, just because he wasn’t deaf;

He is right amongst
the columns of the fighting A.I.F.

He is always there
when wanted, with his Owen gun or Bren,

He is in the forward
area, the place where men are men.

He proved he’s still
a warrior, in action not afraid,

He faced the blasting
red-hot fire from mortar and grenade;

He didn’t mind when
food was low, or we were getting thin,

He didn’t growl or
worry then, he’d cheer us with his grin.

He’d heard us talk
democracy–, They preach it to his face–

Yet knows that in our
Federal House there’s no one of his race.

He feels we push his
kinsmen out, where cities do not reach,

And Parliament has
yet to hear the Aborigine’s maiden speech.

One day he’ll leave
the Army, then join the League he shall,

And he hope’s we’ll
give a better deal to the Aboriginal.