About the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service
The service honours First Nations service men and women, who have served, or continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force.
The event is held every year during Reconciliation Week(opens in a new window), on 31 May at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.
Watch the 2025 Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service
The 20th annual service was held at the Shrine of Remembrance on Saturday 31 May at 11.00 am.
A recording is now available below
2025 Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service
Members of Australia's Defence Force as standing in a moments silence during the 2025 Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service
2025 Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service
Dr Andrew Peters speaking at the Shrine of Remembrance lectern.
2025 Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service
Leading Seaman Jade Delaporte speaking at the Shrine of Remembrance lectern as part of the 2025 Victorian Aboriginal Service
2025 Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service
A member of the Royal Australian Navy stands besides the Shrine of Remembrance cauldron
2025 Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service
Uncle Charles Pakana and Uncle Mick Edwards embrace as a man plays the didgeridoo in the background
2025 Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service
Bunurong Elder Uncle Mick Edwards stand beside the Shrine of Remembrance cauldron
2025 Featured Veteran — Able Seaman, Patrick Daniel Syron
Able Seaman Patrick Daniel Syron was a Biripi man, born on 16 November 1928 in Gloucester, New South Wales, Australia. He was the second of 16 children in his family. His parents were Robert Syron and Eileen ‘May Syron née Cook.
Growing up, Patrick and his family were self-sufficient. His mother only needed to buy sugar, flour and tea, as Patrick and his siblings worked the family farm in Minimbah, caring for animals and tending the vegetable garden. The Syron children were resourceful–Patrick and his brothers would hunt mullet in the river, shooting at them from the trees.
The Syron children made up the majority of the pupils at the local school, where there were about 25 students. Every school day, they would walk 7 kilometres each way to attend classes. When not at school, the Syron children could be found hunting, making butter, collecting stag horns in the bush, or boxing in a ring on their property. Patrick inherited a strong sense of justice from his father and both were known to stand up for themselves and others.
Naval Service
He served in the Royal Australian Navy between January 1951 to June 1956. Patrick completed his naval training at HMAS Cerberus, the Royal Australian Navy’s main training establishment. During his time living in Victoria, he met his wife, Roma Beverley Bee and together they had 4 children, Pam, Stephen, John, Jenny and 9 grandchildren.
From 1952 to 1953, he served aboard HMAS Condamine. In June 1952, Condamine sailed from Sydney to Korea via Darwin and Singapore. The ship and its crew took their war station on 4 August 1952 off the Haeju Peninsula on the west coast of Korea. During its Korean War campaign, the ship and its crew:
- Bombarded North Korean positions on the mainland opposite Hudo Island
- Defended the Chodo-Sokto Islands, engaging in daily bombardments
- Sailed to the east coast to report to the Task Unit Commander off the Yongdo area to attack North Korean railways.
- Guarded offshore islands
- Escorted allied warships
During this campaign, a false North Korean radio report claimed Condamine had been sunk with the loss of all on board. In response, British headquarters in Japan sent a Canadian destroyer to take its place—only to find Condamine still afloat and operational. The ship completed its final operation on 15 March 1953.
Patrick’s service was recognised with five medals awarded by the Australian Government:
- Australian Defence Medal
- Australian Active Service Medal
- Korean War Service Medal
- United Nations Korea Service medal
- Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
A passion for sport
In addition to his military service, Patrick was an avid sportsman. He played Rugby league for the Royal Australian Navy, competing in the Dempsey Cup.
Patrick was well known among his fellow sailors as a skilled boxer. Growing up, he and his siblings trained on their farm. His brother went on to become an Australian Featherweight Champion. Patrick was tough, nimble and courageous, earning him a reputation as a formidable fighter. His shipmates sometimes placing bets on him during friendly bouts against other Navy crew.
Family legacy
After returning from Korea, Patrick brought back some souvenirs for his family. These included a beautiful painted crockery set for his mother. She cherished this this gift and was immensely proud of Patrick’s service, as well as his brother, Cecil, who was in the army.
Although Patrick rarely spoke about his time in Korea, he deeply valued the ANZAC legacy. He was especially proud when his grandson, Jarryd Boyd, enlisted. Jarryd became the third man from his family to enlist in the Royal Australian Navy and has upheld his Pop’s legacy both through his service and sportsmanship, having competed at the Invictus games and with the Navy AFL throughout his career.
Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee
The role of the committee is to provide advice to the Victorian Government on the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service and on issues of First Nations service recognition in Victoria.
Background of the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service
For the last 100 years, First Nations people have served in Australian conflict and peace keeping missions. For many years, the service and sacrifice of First Nations service men and women were not recognised or commemorated.
In 2006, Aunty Dot and Healesville RSL Sub-branch President Sam Halim held a remembrance service to recognise First Nations service men and women. That same year, the Aboriginal flag was raised for the first time at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.
Victoria was the first state to honour First Nations people who serve and have served with an annual service. Today, most Australian states hold a service. The yearly service gives all Victorians the opportunity to pay their respects during Reconciliation Week. The Victorian Government works with the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee to deliver the service.
Aunty Dot Peters' Wreath
Aunty Dot Peters AM was a respected First Nations Elder and a descendant of the Yorta Yorta and Yarra Yarra people of Victoria. She raised awareness of issues facing her community and First Nations people in Victoria.
Aunty Dot advocated for the recognition and honour of First Nations service men and women. She was inspired by the legacy of her father, Vincent Peters, who was a prisoner of war and died on the Thai Burma Railway in 1943.
Each year before her passing, Aunty Dot lay a gum leaf wreath at the service. This tradition is now continued by her son, Dr Andrew Peters.
Wreath artwork
Inspired by the wreath laid by Aunty Dot, artist Nina Kelabora created the wreath artwork.
The colours of the leaves are the same as those found in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. The leaves represent the First Nations and non-First Nations service men and women. The individual leaves sit side by side, to represent that all service men and women serve as equals in the Australian Defence Force.
The Ode in Taungurung Language
Translation of the Ode of Remembrance into Taungurung language by Aunty Loraine Padgham.
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