Victorians have today paid tribute to First Nations people who have served on behalf of Australia as they were honoured at the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service.

Held each year during Reconciliation Week, the service recognises the sacrifice and courage of First Nations Victorians and acknowledges that for far too long their contribution was not adequately commemorated.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman joined the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee today at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.

Today’s service included the story of Charles Melbourne Johnston, an Aboriginal man who served in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War.

A brave and natural leader, Charles was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and mentioned three times in dispatches. Despite this, Charles’ Aboriginal heritage was hidden due to discriminatory enlistment standards.

His name now proudly appears on the Australian War Memorial’s First World War Indigenous service list.

For more information about the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service, visit firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au.