Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people please be advised that the following contains the names, images and objects of people who have died.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a long tradition of fighting for Country, and continue to serve with honour among Australia's military forces. Recognition of Indigenous military service has, at times, been difficult due to the lack of heritage information on service records, as well as the level of discrimination suffered by Aboriginal people in this country, causing many to conceal their background where possible. Many more were simply denied enlistment based solely on racial grounds, which was entirely legal due to the 1910 addition of Section 61(h) to the Defence Act 1903, which stated:
'The following shall be exempt from service in time of war, so long as the employment, condition, or status on which the exemption is based continues: -
(h) Persons who are not substantially of European origin or descent, of which the medical authorities appointed under the Regulations shall be the judges;' (Defence Act 1910).
This was again amended in 1917 due to the heavy losses Australia was suffering in World War 1 and the desperate need for more boots on the ground. The amendment allowed for the enlistment of Indigenous recruits, as long as they could convince the examining medical officer that one of their parents was of European heritage.
Despite blatant racism, discrimination and mistreatment, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have volunteered in every conflict and peace-keeping mission of which Australia has been a part.
Today, things are a little bit different. The Australian Defence Force has a Defence Reconciliation Action Plan, dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Career Pathways with programs designed specifically to assist Indigenous men and women to gain careers in Defence, as well as Indigenous Career Coaches and Mentors.