BLACK DIGGERS
"To mark the eve of the centenary of the First World War, Sydney Festival presents a work of significance, scope and monumental ambition, in a world premiere event at Sydney Opera House.
Directed by Wesley Enoch and written by Tom Wright, Black Diggers uncovers the contribution of First World War Aboriginal Diggers, following their exceptional stories from their homelands to the battlefields of Gallipoli, Palestine and Flanders.
An all-male, all-Indigenous cast will evoke these heroic men, largely unknown to history."
Theatre unearths Australia's shame
We need theatre where history fails: 'Black Diggers' shows Australians as the lesser Anzacs
by
Deborah Stone
Back History - ANZAC DAY 2013 - A Public Acknowledgement
Source Credit NITV News
First published April 25, 2013 and updated on Aug 26, 2013
Indigenous soldiers have been remembered in a ceremony in Canberra and in the streets of Sydney's inner suburb of Redfern, amid calls to better recognise Aboriginal diggers' contributions.
By NITV News
"Amongst non-Indigenous Australians, the service and sacrifice of Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal men is very much unknown", said Gareth O' Connell from the ATSI Veterans and Services Association at a ceremony in Canberra.
Indigenous Australia's contribution to the nation's security has been present at every conflict from the colonial forces through to the current operations in the Middle East.
In his address to the Canberra gathering, Gary Oakley from the Australian War Memorial called for a greater recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contributions.
"This country owes the Torres Strait Islanders a great debt. Out of all the places in Australia, during WWII, the Torres Strait Islanders put the most volunteers to the service. Over 95 per cent of the male population was in uniform. That is phenomenal".