Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) students, staff and members of the Jarara Cultural Centre gathered around Hyde Park’s Pool of Reflection for the 2024 Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service at Hyde Park.
Since its inception in 2007, the annual Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service continues to unite Australians to remember and honour the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans.
Students from schools across the Parramatta Diocese joined Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, The Hon. David Robert Harris MP, NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, many more dignitaries and hundreds of other students at the moving ceremony.
Guided by members of the Jarara Cultural Centre, CSPD students laid wreaths and paid their respects to Indigenous veterans for their service and protection of our country. Xavier College Llandilo School Captain, Jai Johnstone said it was really important for the students to be there.
“As young people it means so much to us to pay respect to those who came before us, especially considering in their time they didn’t receive the appropriate commendation for the work they did,” said Jai.
Taking place in Reconciliation Week the ceremony combines conventional military protocol with Indigenous ceremonial display. The service has a focus on attendance by school children, with guest speakers sharing the remarkable stories of their service to inspire our youth, both indigenous and non-indigenous alike.
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Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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