Strength, Service and Sacrifice

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay respect to their leaders, past and present. Visitors to this website should be aware that names may be mentioned, or images portrayed, of people who are now deceased. Any distress this may cause is sincerely regretted.

The qualities of strength, service and sacrifice fire the human spirit. Indigenous people within the armed forces represent these qualities. The first commissioned Indigenous officer, Captain Reg Saunders, nurse Kath Walker (Oodgeroo Noonuccal) and Torres Strait Islander soldier Sedo Gebade are depicted on this artwork. All saw active service. The other side of the artwork recognises sport and recreation, a common meeting ground for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Included are images of the first Australian cricket team to tour England (1868), Tiwi footballers taking a mark, children playing cricket and Cathy Freeman (Australian gold medallist) lighting the Olympic cauldron at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The rich colours of the Australian landscape at sunset act as a backdrop for the images, signifying land as the unifying element for all Australian endeavour and sacrifice.

Sliver

• Architect: Simon Kringas
• Aboriginal Cultural Advisor: Sharon Payne
• Exhibition Designers: Marcus Bree, Benita Tunks
• Graphic Designer: Alan Vogt

Images (by permission of)

• Aboriginal cricket team that toured England (1867): National Library of Australia
• Captain Reg Saunders (Soldier): Glenda Humes
• Children playing cricket: Colin and Paul Tatz
• Lighting of the cauldron: Jamie Squire (All Sport)
• Nurse, Kath Walker (Oodgeroo Noonuccal): Patty Walker
• Sedo Gebade (Morotai 1945): Australian War Memorial
• Soldiers (Wangaratta 1940): Australian War Memorial
• Sunset: Marcus Bree
• Tiwi Island footballers taking a mark: Colin and Paul Tatz

Click here to learn more about Reconciliation Place and its artworks.