Major Sumner AM

To those that served and supported them. The shield is to protect, the spear is to fight. Men traditionally carried a spear and shield to protect them as they travelled in our country and across the land.

Our people went to Vietnam to protect, so in our way we honour them with a shield and a spear. We are making this for them, because that is what they did for us.

We have created an honour roll listing all those that served in the Vietnam War, as is tradition for all wars, but this one is carved into our traditional shield, wakkaldi - the wakkaldi which is the protector. The markings on the wakkaldi are not particular to one traditional group, rather to represent all those who served. The wakkaldi is made in glass. Glass is transparent and beautiful yet fragile. We have nothing to hide.

Major Sumner AM

Ngarrindjeri/Kaurna peoples