Black Diggers

24/4/2018

Over the last week we have been honouring Black Diggers for their service. I am overwhelmed by the response! Every single person who has served for this country deserves the highest respect and I have seen that this week. The pride the Aboriginal community has for our soldiers is heartwarming. It is great to see Black Diggers getting the recognition they deserve.

I have learnt a lot and been privileged to hear the stories of great people. I hope schools start to include Aboriginal soldiers in their ANZAC lessons and am proud of the resources we offer to support this.

I am fortunate enough to call Uncle Ken Canning a friend and am excited to share, with his blessing, one of his poems. You can download a printable version at the bottom of this post.

You will find more of Uncle Ken's work at https://vagabondpress.net/products/ken-canning-burraga-gutya-yimbama.

BLACK DIGGERS
Author Burraga Gutya (Ken Canning)
Hail!! You brave men.
You gave your all,
to fight.
Not for King or Queen
but for country.
Your land,
your soil,
entrenched
in your heart.
All wars all battles,
the strong Black Diggers
stood tall proud
and gave honour
to all Peoples
of this land.
Fires of war
burned out,
some came home
to be shunned
once more.
The country
your fought for,
turned its
cowardly back
on you,
the brave Black Digger,
as brave as those
who fought,
in our frontier wars.
You once more
were cast out by
a callous country.
Not even
allowed to speak
to those you fought
so valiantly beside.
Proud strong,
humble Black Digger,
we your Peoples,
give thanks
and glory
to your
sacrifice.
From those
long passed
to you
still amongst us,
stand tall in honour.
For at the going down
of every sun,
we shall always
remember you,
BRAVE BLACK DIGGERS.