Mooroopna & Ardmona District Yorta Yorta People Memorial PanelsPrint Page 
The photographic memorial panels commemorate the indigenous Yorta Yorta people from Mooroopna and Ardmona district who served in World War Two, Vietnam and Korea. The panels were part of an upgrade to the War Memorial.
Work on the $320,000 upgrade to the Mooroopna War Memorial began earlier this year with new memorial panels and flagpoles installed along with new concrete paths and walkways to the rotunda, a raised platform, lighting, rose garden and irrigation infrastructure. Some minor works will be completed over the coming weeks including landscaping and painting of the rotunda.
This project has been jointly funded by Greater Shepparton City Council, Mooroopna Rotary Club, Victorian State Government, Australian Federal Government, Shepparton RSL and a number of private donors.
“Council is pleased to have played a part in delivering the new Mooroopna War Memorial panels that will honour the soldiers and servicewomen from the WWII, Vietnam and Korean Wars as well as acknowledging those who served in the Indonesian conflict,” Greater Shepparton City Council Director.
Mirage News, 23 April 2020.
Location
| Address: | McLennan Street, Mooroopna War Memorial, Mooroopna, 3629 |
|---|---|
| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -36.392747 Long: 145.365114 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
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| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | Multiple |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | 2020 |
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Panel 1:
WARNING:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned that these panels may contain images and names of people who may have entered the Dreamtime.
Panel 2 :
We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women served in wars involving Australia to protect this nation. This memorial commemorates the military service and experience of Yorta Yorta people from the Mooroopna and Ardmona district, who served in World War 11, the Vietnam War and the Korean War.
We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia including the Yorta Yorta People have endured many forms of discrimination, brutal social exclusion and violence, as service policies did not always provide them with equality in terms of return service pensions, soldier settlement land or recognition on memorials. They were also unable to identify their cultural backgrounds upon enlistment. Living amidst such inequality across Australia, many found military service to be a chance for equality, in a country where even then, they were not considered Australian citizens.
They fought side by side for their country, and in doing so worked to defeat racism and foster lasting mateship as their blood was spilled with that of their fellow diggers. Their bravery and courage to serve for a country that had taken so much from them, is a legacy we can only honour.
The areas of Mooroopna and Ardmona saw a large population of Yorta Yorta people living on the Flats and nearby on their traditional Country in poor conditions.
Today their descendants continue to represent their people, their Country and this Nation, as valued members of the Australian Defence Force.
Panel 3 :
This memorial commemorates the military service of the men who served in World War 11, Vietnam and Korea. In honour of the many men and women who served, we start by paying our respects and honouring the following Yorta Yorta men. We understand there are many more and hope one day to add their names.
[Names]
This content has been prepared in partnership with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation with images and information derived from a variety of sources. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.
Panel 4:
We the Elders Council of the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation are proud to finally see recognition of our mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles and grand-parents on this War Memorial.
For many years it has pained us to see the continued lack of recognition for our Elders who rose up to fight a war for a country in which they were not recognised as citizens. This inequality has been forever present in their omission from war memorials across the region. We are also proud to see our Yorta Yorta women and girls honoured for their work of knitting and sewing for soldiers at war. Our Yorta Yorta ancestors contributed in any way they were able to the war effort and their recognition here now is well overdue, fitting and appreciated. We know that they will be gathered around standing guard – just as they always have.
