Legacy in the Park: Honoring Indigenous Servicemen and Women

On 7 July (during NAIDOC week), Sydney Legacy hosted Legacy in the Park at the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, to pay homage to Indigenous servicemen and women whose sacrifices have often been overlooked.

Notable Indigenous speakers shared words, including Warrant Officer Class One Colin Watego OAM (a retired veteran who served for 43 years) and Pastor Ray Minniecon, who played a key role in establishing Redfern’s annual Coloured Diggers March.

This inclusive community event was named after a poetic tribute written on the Kokoda Track to Aboriginal Private Harold West, also known as ‘The Coloured Digger.’

Warren ‘Pig’ Morgan (an original member of the 1960s group, The Aztecs) performed his musical adaptation of the poem, with John Paul Young OAM singing lead vocals. They were joined on harmonica by Les Beckett, nephew of Private West.

The three musicians also shared words in a panel discussion hosted by Legacy Club Services employee Jemma Pigott, who also MC’d the event and organised the VIP talent, all of whom volunteered their time to support Legacy.

Jemma connected with the special guests through a self-funded film she is working on honouring Indigenous Diggers on the Kokoda Track. She also shared her film clip for ‘The Coloured Digger’.

Sydney Legacy’s first female president, Nikki Hollis, also shared words.

The Coloured Digger story 

In WW2, Aboriginal Privates Harold West and George Leonard died defending Australia from invasion, fighting bravely on The Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. The childhood friends volunteered to fight for Australia, despite being denied basic rights of citizenship. 

Also serving in this campaign was Bert Beros, a non-Indigenous sapper who penned a tribute to Private West called The Coloured Digger. His poem inspired Redfern’s Anzac Day Coloured Diggers March, an inclusive community event honouring Indigenous service. 

Aboriginal Pastor Ray Minniecon was instrumental in establishing the march, assisted by his friend Warren ‘Pig’ Morgan. Warren musically adapted Beros’ poem and has performed it at various events, including in the outback community of Goodooga, where relatives of Private West still live. John Paul Young OAM sings lead vocals, and Private West’s nephew Les Beckett plays the harmonica.