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Yininmadyemi : Thou Didst Let Fall Print Page Print this page

Plaque 1 : 09-April-2015
Plaque 1 : 09-April-2015

Photographs supplied by Peter F Williams

The monument commemorates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served in the various conflicts in which Australia has been involved.

It acknowledges that even before Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were counted in the census and recognised as citizens, they were putting their lives at risk to defend Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have long served in Australia’s military forces, starting before the Boer War right up to the present day.

The monument also references the circumstances faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women when they returned to Australia. They were treated differently from their white Australian comrades who were given land for their service while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were still having their land taken away.

Hyde Park South has been chosen as the location for the monument due to its status and historical significance. The site was once a ritual contest ground, a crossroads for traditional walking trails, and an important site for ceremony, gathering and camping.

The monument is composed of four standing bullets and three fallen shells. The bullet is a universal signifier for conflict. The arrangement of the bullets, with some standing and some fallen, represents those who survived and those who were sacrificed.

 

Location

Address:Elizabeth Street, Hyde Park South, Sydney, 2000
State:NSW
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -33.875234
Long: 151.209963
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Monument
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:Multiple
Designer:Tony Albert

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Tuesday 31st March, 2015
Front Inscription
Yininmadyemi
Thou didst let fall 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people have always defended their country. Indigenous Australians are known to have served in the state colonial forces before Federation and have proudly carried on this tradition of service. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diggers experienced the horror of war on the battlefield and many made the ultimate sacrifice. The sad reality for these veterans was that inequality in the country they fought to defend remained a distant dream. 

The memorial on the land of the Gadigal clan pays tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have defended our country - the unsung heroes, our brothers and sisters, our mates. 

We remember those fallen 
We honour those standing

Plaque :
Yininmadyemi   Thou didst let fall 
Tony Albert
Yininmadyemi thou didst let fall is located near the historic site of a ritual contest ground on Gadigal land. The artwork honours the bravery and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served their country. 

Inspired by the story of the artist's grandfather, Eddie Albert, the artwork comprises four standing bullets to representing those who survived, and three fallen shells remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Unveiled by Lord Mayor Clover Moore 31 March 2015

cityartsydney.com City Art





 
Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au