Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service

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. First Nations people have served in conflict and peacekeeping missions involving Australia for over a century. For many years, their service and sacrifice was not recognised or commemorated.

The annual service gives all Victorians the opportunity to pay their respects during Reconciliation Week.

Watch this year's service

A recording of the 2026 service is now available.

Remembering Victorian Aboriginal Veterans

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.
Warrant Officer Leonard ‘Len’ Waters (1924-1993) made history as Australia’s first and only known World War II First Nations fighter pilot. Born on Euraba Aboriginal Mission on Kamilaroi Country, as a young boy, Len dreamed of pursuing an aviation career. 
In 1942, at 18, Len enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), answering affirmatively as to whether he was of ‘pure European descent’. After completing the Flight Mechanics course, Len was posted as an aircraft mechanic in Mildura, servicing P-40 Kittyhawk single seater Fighter aircrafts. While working as a mechanic, he studied tirelessly at night to increase his education and fulfil his dreams of becoming a pilot.  
His hard work paid off; Len was transferred from Ground Staff to Aircrew. He was one of the first to do so, when he responded to a call to action. After completing the required study and operational training, Len earned his wings, and was deployed for action across the Pacific with the No. 78 Squadron.   
By the end of the war, Len had completed 95 daring missions. On one of his missions, the P-40 Kittyhawk was hit by a Japanese 37-millimetre cannon shell. The high explosive shell was wedged between the armour plating between the cockpit and the fuel tank. Len flew for another two hours before he could land safely, with the shell intact. 
In 1946, after the war, Len was discharged as a Warrant Officer by the RAAF. After resettling on Kamilaroi Country, an opportunity arose for him to operate a regional Air Taxi service. He was unable to establish this service because of a number of obstacles; including lack of government support for licensing. To provide for his wife Gladys and their children, Len returned to a life of shearing. Over his life, he had estimated to have sheared over a million sheep.  
Len passed away in 1993, at the age of 69. 
Len’s legacy serves as a timeless reminder for all generations that no matter what obstacles life throws at you, always pursue your passions and dreams. 
“The sky’s the limit. And dreams can come true. You just have to believe in yourself, be honest, have pride, have dignity, integrity and be accountable. And it’ll all pay off” - Warrant Officer Len Waters
Charles Melbourne Johnston, a distinguished Australian military officer, was no stranger to leadership. Johnston, a second lieutenant in Melbourne Grammar’s Senior Cadets, Johnston was seconded to the Australian Imperial Force on 16 April 1915 and reported for duty at Gallipoli on 2 June. He quickly emerged as a natural leader and was soon promoted to command 'C' Company as a temporary captain. His leadership skills were put to the test in the harsh conditions of the Gallipoli campaign, where he fought bravely alongside his men. It was during this trial he was bestowed the epithet of ‘Black Prince’, in recognition of his strong leadership, heroism, and dark features.
Johnston's war service as an infantry officer in regimental and staff appointments was outstanding. He rose to Brigade Major of the 4th Brigade, and despite being seriously wounded at Messines, he continued to serve his country with distinction. Johnston's finest hour came when he was transferred back to the 15th Battalion, where he held the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel. He took command on the night of 16-17 September 1918, in time for the 15th's 'last fight, and their best' on the 18th when an outpost of the Hindenburg line was taken. Johnston's leadership and bravery inspired his men to overcome impossible odds and achieve victory.
Following the Armistice, Johnston remained in France serving with the Army of Occupation and visiting the Hall of Mirrors where the Peace Conference was being held. He returned to Australia on the Prinz Ludwig in late 1919.
After the war, Johnston returned to Melbourne and became a successful manufacturer. He lived a quiet life in Hawthorn with his wife and two sons, but his legacy as a brave and inspirational leader lived on. Johnston died in 1941, and Major General C. H. Brand, one of his wartime brigade commanders, was a pallbearer at his funeral, a testament to the respect and admiration that Johnston had earned through his leadership during the war.
However, for many years, the Aboriginal heritage of the Johnston family was known only to some family members. It is speculated that the family changed their names and adopted Spanish heritage to be accepted in business and social circles in Melbourne.
It was not until later generations that the Aboriginal heritage of the Johnston family was rediscovered. Charles Wyllie Johnston (1929-1980), the elder son of C.M. Johnston, knew of their Aboriginal heritage and for many years in the 1960s and 1970s tried to learn details of his grandmother (Bertha Selvince Taglinoi Mignonneete) and great grandmother (Maria Simmonds). It wasn’t until after the passing of C.W. Johnston that keen family historian and dedicated researcher Andy Johnston brought the story of C.M. Johnston to light, dismissing the Spanish subterfuge and engaged in the pursuit of authentic origins. Maria Simmonds (née White), C.M. Johnston’s grandmother, was the daughter of Mingboaram (Queen Caroline), the matriarch of the Booandik tribe of South Australia. Bertha Selvince Taglinoi Mignonneete (née Turner) was the daughter of Maria and the mother of C.M. Johnston.
Johnston's distinguished military service is a testament to his bravery, leadership, and heroism, and serves as an inspiration to his family to this day. In recognition for his outstanding service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and was mentioned in dispatches three times. Due to the tireless work of his family, his name also proudly resides on the Australian War Memorial’s First World War Indigenous service list. ished military service is a testament to his bravery, leadership, and heroism, and serves as an inspiration to his family to this day. In recognition for his outstanding service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and was mentioned in dispatches three times. Due to the tireless work of his family, his name also proudly resides on the Australian War Memorial’s First World War Indigenous service list.

Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee

The service is delivered in the spirit of self-determination by the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee in partnership with the Victorian Government.

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. In 2006, Aunty Dot and Healesville RSL Sub-branch President Sam Halim held a remembrance service to recognise First Nations service men and women.

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.

Dr Andrew Peters laying a gum wreath and Sam Halim laying a native wreath at the eternal flame at the Shrine of Remembrance. — Dr Andrew Peters, Chair of the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Commitee laying a gum leaf wreath and Co-founder, Sam Halim laying a wreath at the service.

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.