Esperance to honour indigenous diggers
A concerted effort to recognise the contribution of Aboriginal soldiers will be one of the key themes during Anzac celebrations in Esperance this week.
The Esperance Returned and Services League is putting the final touches on the centenary commemorations, which will begin on Saturday with a march from the post office to the war memorial at 5.50am.
A significant crowd is expected to travel to the port town for the occasion and the local sub-branch has confirmation visitors from Balladonia, Hopetoun and Perth will be attending.
Esperance RSL secretary Brian Pearce said the group wanted recognition of the service of Aboriginal people to feature prominently in the Anzac centenary celebrations.
"The thing is, I think the public at large don't recognise the contribution they made and we have quite a history of what went on," he said.
"There's a big display at the museum and that will also recognise the Aboriginal people who went from here in the First World War."
Esperance pastor Sonny Graham will deliver an on-stage performance as part of the recognition of indigenous Australians.
Other prominent guests will include Esperance-raised Lee Stapley, an Afghanistan veteran who will return to the port town from his home in Perth.
When Esperance was home to about 350 people, 76 men left to fight in World War I.
Of those 76 men, 22 made the ultimate sacrifice and never returned to their families.
Mr Pearce said the local sub-branch had been working hard to prepare for the event, meticulously cleaning the headquarters last weekend to ensure it was ready for Saturday.
A dawn service at the memorial will be held at 6am and guests will be invited back to the headquarters at its conclusion.
