General News
28 May, 2026
ATSI veterans in spotlight
INDIGENOUS veterans are to be honoured at an annual ceremony at the Cairns (Gimuy) Esplanade Cenotaph next week.
Hosted by RSL Queensland and coinciding with National Reconciliation Week, the ceremony acknowledges the contributions of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have served or sacrificed for Australia.
A RSL spokesman said Indigenous Australians had served in every war and conflict involving Australia since 1899, despite being excluded from citizenship until 1967.
“Many were also denied the same entitlements as other Australians who fought for their country, at the same time, in the same wars,” he said.
“The ceremony is an important reminder of the injustices that many Indigenous veterans faced during, but particularly after, their service. RSL Queensland aims to create a deeper understanding of Australia’s military history and deeper recognition of all who served, by helping to tell this story.”
RSL Queensland state secretary Iain Carty said 2026 was the 20th anniversary of RSL Queensland hosting the annual ceremony to recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who had served and sacrificed in Australia’s armed forces.
“We look forward to welcoming Vietnam veteran and founding member of Yarrabah RSL Sub Branch James Canuto to present the keynote speech at the ceremony,” he said.
Starting at 11am on Saturday 30 May, the Indigenous veterans’ ceremony will also be live streamed on RSL Queensland’s YouTube channel.
All members of the community are welcome and attendance is free. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/4wBB6Kz
