The Memorial’s purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war or during operational service, and those who have served our nation in times of conflict. Below you can find a few ways in which the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is remembered.

For our Country memorial

For our Country, a memorial recognising and commemorating the military service and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their legacy, was commissioned in 2018. Designed by artist Daniel Boyd (Kudjala/Gangalu/Kuku Yalanji/Waka Waka/Gubbi Gubbi/Wangerriburra/Bandjalung) in collaboration with Edition Office architects, the memorial was dedicated by Dr Jackie Huggins (Bidjara/Birri Gubba Juru) and is located in the Memorial’s Sculpture Gardens.

To initiate the week-long celebration of the Air Force Centenary, on 29 March 2021 RAAF Indigenous Liaison Officers deposited soil and sand collected by traditional custodians at RAAF bases around the county, as well shells from the Torres Strait Islands, in the For our Country sculpture. The ceremony was overseen by Uncle Harry Allie, Indigenous Elder of the Air Force. Soil, sand, and shells were deposited by Indigenous Liaison Officers as follows:

• Leading Aircraftman James Evans from RAAF Base Wagga, on behalf of Wiradjuri Country;
• Flight Lieutenant Patricia Thompson from RAAF Base Tindal, on behalf of Dagoman Country. We would also like to acknowledge the Jawoyn people;
• Flight Lieutenant Jab-Ah-KAI Shaw from RAAF Base Richmond, on behalf of Dharug Country. We also acknowledge the Gundungurra People in the vicinity of RAAF Base Glenbrook;
• Flight Lieutenant Aimee McCartney from RAAF Base Point Cook and RAAF Base Williams, on behalf of Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri of the Kulin Nations and from RAAF Base East Sale, on behalf of the traditional owners of Gunaikurnai Country;
• Flight Lieutenant Steve Warrior from RAAF Base Edinburgh, on behalf of Kaurna Country and the Googatha from RAAF Base Woomera;
• Flight Lieutenant Kristal House from RAAF Base Amberley, on behalf of the traditional owners of the Yuggera and the Ugarapul people;
• Flight Lieutenant Tramaine Dukes, from RAAF Base Pearce, on behalf of Noongar Country and the Ginigoodareah people from RAAF Base Learmonth;
• Flight Lieutenant Matt Roberts from RAAF Base Williamtown, on behalf of the Worimi people;
• Flight Lieutenant Normie Grogan from RAAF Base Darwin, on behalf of Gulumerrdgen Country;
• Flight Lieutenant Dave Williams from RAAF Base Townsville, on behalf of Gurumbilburra and Wulgururkaba Country;
• Flying Officer Gabrielle Read, from RAAF Base Tindal, on behalf of Wardahmen people; and
• Leading Aircraftman Pryce Mareko on behalf of the Torres Strait Islander people.

Previous soil deposited in For our Country sculpture in 2019 includes Ngunnawal, Bidjara, and Birri Gubba Jurru.

Communities are invited to make deposits of soil during Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week celebrations by submitting a request form, or by emailing forourcountry@awm.gov.au

Last Post Ceremonies

Commencing at approximately 4.45 pm AEST, the Memorial farewells visitors with its moving Last Post Ceremony in the Commemorative Courtyard. Each night the ceremony shares the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour. Below are the names of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who have been commemorated in a Last Post Ceremony.

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is an Australian War Memorial initiative to record the location and photo of every publicly accessible war memorial in Australia. 

Aboriginal carved stone figures

We remember

We remember was commissioned for the Memorial's special exhibition 'For Country, For Nation', curated by Amanda Reynolds in 2016.

Award winning weaver Glenda Nicholls, a Wadi Wadi, Yorta Yorta and Ngarrindjeri woman, created We remember using hand woven and dyed netting which forms a pool of reflection. This is decorated with red and white feather flowers resembling poppies. In her artist statement, Aunty Glenda said:

"My craft carries the storyline of my ancestors where I weave fish nets and use bird feathers in a craft that was handed down from my maternal great-grandmother Christina. She was skilled in the old ways of weaving baskets and use of feather adornments but developed new traditions of making feather flowers and bouquets in order to make a living during the Depression era. I am honoured to be able to use my family traditions to remember and honour all of the people who went to war and all those who were left behind." 

Learn more.