WEBVTT

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Hi, my name is Brianna Brown.

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I go to St. Andrews College

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and I'm a Murramajina Ranger.

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Hi, I'm Aidy from St. Andrews

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College and I'm also a Murramajina

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Ranger.

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Since the Boer War, Aboriginal and

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Torres Strait Islander peoples have bravely

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served Australia in every major conflict.

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Over 1,000 First Nations people served

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in the First World War, with

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at least 13 losing their lives

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in Gallipoli.

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Despite facing discrimination upon their

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return,

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They continue to serve with distinction.

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An estimated 3000 Indigenous Australians served

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in the Second World War.

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Each year Australians gather together to

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remember and honour the service and

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sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

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Islander veterans.

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Today's students, staff from the Catholic

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Schools Paramedic Diocese and members of

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the Gerrara Cultural Centre are joined

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by many other dignitaries.

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Taking place during Reconciliation Week,

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This ceremony combines conventional military

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protocol

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with Indigenous ceremonial display.

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Guided by members of the Gerrira

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Cultural Centre, students from across the

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Parramatta Diocese are laying wreaths and

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paying their respects to Indigenous veterans

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who served and protected our country.

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Why do you think today is

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important?

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I think today is important so

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we can acknowledge the Aboriginal veterans

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that served for our country and

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give them the respect that they

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deserve.

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I think today was important to

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understand the Indigenous soldiers' sacrifices

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and

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acknowledge what they've been through and

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what they have done.

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Aunty Julie, why do you think

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it is important for students to

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be here today?

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Brianna, I think it's extremely important

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because when we look at the

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history of our Aboriginal and Torres

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Strait Islander men and women who

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served in Australia they weren't recognised.

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And this is about Aboriginal servicemen

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and women from all campaigns that

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defended our country.

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who weren't recognised and still today

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aren't in the Australian Constitution as

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an equal.

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I'm here to remind people they

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wouldn't have this country except for

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the effort of a lot of

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foreign soldiers.

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More importantly, the Aboriginal digger.

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We remember the sacrifices made by

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Indigenous veterans throughout history.

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Their service and dedication have helped

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shape our nation.

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Lest we forget.