Remembrance Day: Service, Sacrifice and Resistance

11 November

Remembrance Day is observed at 11 am on 11 November to remember people who died while serving in wars, conflicts and peace operations. This page recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicepeople, veterans and ex-servicepeople, and the families and Communities who carry their stories.

It also applies a broader First Nations lens to remembrance by recognising Aboriginal people who defended Country, family and Community against invasion and colonial expansion during the frontier wars. This includes those who resisted and were killed during frontier conflicts across the continent.

These histories are distinct and should not be collapsed into one story. Bringing them together on this page is an act of remembrance and truth-telling, not a claim that frontier wars remembrance forms part of the official national definition of Remembrance Day. Local commemorations should be guided by local First Nations rights holders.

Ways to mark the date

• Observe the minute of silence at 11 am and include the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who served.
• Learn about First Nations warriors and resistance leaders who defended their Country in your local area.
• Include the frontier wars in age-appropriate truth-telling, while distinguishing those histories from later military service.
• Seek guidance from local First Nations rights holders before planning a public ceremony, acknowledgement or learning activity.

Sources and further reading

• Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Remembrance Day
• AIATSIS, Military service records
• Australian War Memorial, Words of War: Defining War and Australian History

Related products and resources

We are developing carefully selected learning resources for this date. This page will be updated as suitable resources become available.