The National Archives of Australia (NAA), has installed an innovative new digital exhibition at the recently-opened Sir John Monash Centre near Villers-Bretonneux in France.
The display Facing Two Fronts: the fight for respect, was curated by NAA’s Amy Lay (pictured) and shines a light on Indigenous Australians at war and their fight for social justice when they returned to Australia.
“Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people didn’t have access to benefits, recognition or other rights afforded to European Australians,’ Ms Lay said.
“With an increased awareness of the extent of discrimination of Indigenous soldiers, they had a platform upon which to advocate for civil rights.”
She said Facing Two Fronts features images and records from the National Archives of Australia’s collection along with a series of video portraits, including interviews with family members who remember how their relatives were affected by war and discrimination.
Director-General of the National Archives, David Fricker said he was proud that the NAA’s digital exhibition was the first visiting program at the Sir John Monash Centre which commemorates the Australian servicemen and women who served on the Western Front during World War I.
“We greatly value the opportunity to promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s experiences in the hub of the Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front,” Mr Fricker said
He said meeting the cost of presenting the exhibition was assisted by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The exhibition will be open until 30 November.
