Anzac memorial in rural Queensland puts Frontier Wars in focus

Anzac commemorations in Cherbourg honoured the community's soldiers - from colonisation until the present day.

Cherbourg Anzac Day

Hundreds attended Cherbourg's Anzac Day service. Source: NITV

New totem poles bearing the story of the Frontier Wars have been unveiled at an Anzac Day service in Cherbourg in South East Queensland. 

Encircling the community's Anzac memorial, the structures educate visitors about conflicts between First Nations people and white settlers during colonisation. 

Vietnam War veteran Eric Law said it's a story that needs to be told.

"We should be telling it so the whole nation can understand more," the Wakka Wakka Elder said.
Frontier Wars totem poles Cherbourg
The totem poles explain the history of the Frontier Wars during colonisation. Source: NITV
The totem poles also pay respect to Cherbourg's World War I veterans, nicknamed the 'boys from Barambah' after the town's former name. 

Almost 50 men from Cherbourg enlisted to fight in WWI, despite not being recognised as Australian citizens at the time.

A series of apps developed by The Ration Shed museum provide an interactive guide for locals and visitors to explore the Anzac memorial, and the accompanying 'Boys from Barambah' exhibition.

"More and more we’re getting people from this community... wanting to have a genuine desire to find out about their ancestors and the contribution they made," said Mr Law. 

"The more that they come and read about their ancestors’ history, the prouder they get."
Cherie Clancy returned to Cherbourg on Thursday to honour the memory of her great-grandfather, Fredrick Dodd, who fought in WW1. 

"I feel that this is my country," she said.

"I’m Wakka Wakka and Wulli Wulli, and I’m just so proud that even though he wasn’t classed as a citizen of Australia, he still wanted to fight for Australia."

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2 min read
Published 25 April 2019 4:05pm
By Ella Archibald-Binge
Source: NITV News


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