Yininmadyemi Thou didst let fall

Sydney Monuments & MemorialsAnzac Memorial Archibald Memorial Fountain Biggles El Alamein Memorial Fountain John Dunmore Lang The Legend of Islay Yininmadyemi Thou didst let fall

I envisage this memorial in Hyde Park to be a special and powerful place for contemplation and remembrance, a space for all our stories to be heard and recognised.

Tony Albert, 2014

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.

This 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

YININMADYEMI Thou didst let fall by Aboriginal artist Tony Albert to acknowledgeS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who served in the nation’s military.

This significant artwork 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.

The artwork 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 artwork 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. It is also home to the ANZAC Memorial.

The artwork has the support of the Returned and Services League (NSW Branch) and the NSW Centenary of Anzac Advisory Council.

The City acknowledges the continuing work of the Coloured Diggers, the Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association, and supports the Coloured Diggers march and commemorations.

Source: City of Sydney¹

Photographs © Greg Sully

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Sydney Monuments & MemorialsAnzac Memorial Archibald Memorial Fountain Biggles El Alamein Memorial Fountain John Dunmore Lang The Legend of Islay Yininmadyemi Thou didst let fall

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