the Forgotten Aboriginal ANZACS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4I6w35pxq3A

Sydney street artist Hego has created a striking mural series featuring the images of Indigenous Anzac soldiers of World War I.

Not just perpetuating the cult of the Anzac legend, but more their unique personal experiences, volunteering to fight for a country that was so blatantly racist and discriminatory to their population,” Hego told BuzzFeed News.

“I’ve come across stories of many Aboriginals being let off in Sydney and having to pay their own way back to their hometown. A soldier, George Karpany, was recommended for a Victoria Cross for bravery by his Australian officer, only to be knocked back by the British higher ups because he was Aboriginal. I came across the story of another soldier called Arthur Walker, whose family has since called one male from each subsequent generation ‘Anzac’ to honour his contribution fighting for Australia while not being allowed to have a beer with his mates on Anzac Day because of the colour of his skin.

“These are just some of the stories from the handful of soldiers I’ve recognised in the mural. My goal with my murals is to start a conversation amongst Australians about how we choose to recognise Aboriginal Australian experiences, not only in WWI but across all of modern Australia’s history.