ABORIGINAL and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served in the Australian defence force at being honoured at this years NAIDOC week.
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The theme of the 2014 NAIDOC week, which began yesterday, is Serving Country: Centenary and Beyond.
The week is used to highlight and recognise the role Aboriginal people have played in shaping Australian identity and reflect on their sacrifice.
A didgeridoo played as Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson, Dubbo Aboriginal Community Working Party chair Shirley Wilson and Aboriginal Elder Uncle John Hill raised the Dubbo City Council, Australian and Aboriginal flags respectively.
Uncle John conducted a Welcome to Country and said events like NAIDOC week are important to recognise Aboriginal, but found it hard to avoid the "irony of the theme".
He highlighted the fact Aboriginals fought for Australia in conflicts as early as the Boer War in 1899 to1902, but have only been counted in the census since 1967.
"We're getting somewhere, we haven't got everything yet, but the get together today is lovely, we should have more of them," Uncle John said.
Rod Towney, manager of Aboriginal Education and Training with Western Institute of TAFE, emceed the event, while Mayor Dickerson addressed the group and Seth Toomey acted as a guest speaker.
Mr Toomey joined the army at age 17 and served in the defence force for five years, including a peace keeping effort in East Timor for six months.
"I'm glad that Aboriginal soldiers are starting to be recognised; they've played a vital role in Australian defence," Mr Toomey said.
"It doesn't matter if you're black or white when you're in the defence force."
