Yininmadyemi Memorial

A beautifully simple but arresting memorial to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who have fought for their country. The fallen shell casings represent those who died, the standing bullets those who survived, arranged in the shape of a boomerang - the Indigenous weapon that is thrown but returns, which was given by some families to departing soldiers to represent their hoped for return from war

Yininmadyemi Memorial.is located with Hyde Park

This thought reflecting park monument.which gives respect to the fallen Australian Aborigines & Torres Strait Islanders

As scripted on this powerful monument / artwork
…

Yininmadyemi
Thou didst let fall

Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people have always defended their country. Indigenous Australians are known to have served in the state colonial forces before Federation and have proudly carried on this tradition of service.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diggers experienced the horror of war on the battlefield and many made the ultimate sacrifice. The sad reality for these veterans was that inequality in the country they fought to defend remained a distant dream.

The memorial on the land of the Gadigal clan pays tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have defended our country - the unsung heroes, our brothers and sisters, our mates.

We remember those fallen
We honour those standing

A momentous tribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island diggers. I prefer this as stunning piece of art rather than a "Memorial" but others may disagree. Of course every art is representative of something and not taking away the meaning behind it. The bullets being symbols of war but can also symbolise people, soldiers standing tall and the fallen. This is an utterly beautiful sculpture, set on a Boomerang shaped base, that symbolizes the sense of hope and safe return. Simply sombre and impressive.

As you walk through Hyde Park in Sydney you are bound to come across the 7 Giant Bullet memorial as it is so striking and tall you can't miss them. Created by an Aboriginal artist Tony Albert whose family have over 80 years of combined military service. Tony was I spired by his grandfather's story about himself and 6 soldiers who escaped from a prisoner of war camp in Germany. Four giant bullets are upright the other three on their side. White, gold and bronze colours help make the memorial stand out and amaze you. The memorial is called Yininmadyemi Thou dids't let fall.

Happened upon the memorial accidentally on my way out of the park. It is very different to the other memorials you see and makes quite an impact.

Striking memorial to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders that died fighting for Australia in war.

Info from COS website: YININMADYEMI Thou didst let fall is a significant new artwork by Aboriginal artist Tony Albert to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who served in the nation’s military.

The artwork is composed of four standing bullets and three fallen shells. The bullet is a universal signifier for conflict. The arrangement of the bullets, with some standing and some fallen, represents those who survived and those who were sacrificed.

The artwork also references the circumstances faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women when they returned to Australia. They were treated differently from their white Australian comrades who were given land for their service while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were still having their land taken away.

Hyde Park South has been chosen as the location for the artwork due to its status and historical significance. The site was once a ritual contest ground, a crossroads for traditional walking trails, and an important site for ceremony, gathering and camping. It is also home to the ANZAC Memorial.

The artwork has the support of the Returned and Services League (NSW Branch) and the NSW Centenary of Anzac Advisory Council.

The City acknowledges the continuing work of the Coloured Diggers, the Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association, and supports the Coloured Diggers march and commemorations.

ARTIST
Sydney-based Aboriginal Girramay artist Tony Albert’s family has over 80 years combined military service. The concept for the artwork comes from the artist, whose vision draws on the experiences of his family’s service in the Australian military.

Tony Albert is working with Cracknell & Lonergan Architects who are assisting in the delivery of the artwork. Dr Anita Heiss, author of Life in Gadigal Country, is also working with the artist to write an inscription honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women that will be engraved on the base of one of the fallen bullets.

Tony Albert and the City of Sydney also acknowledge Trisha Albert, author of Unsung Heroes for her initial research on the story of Tony’s grandfather Eddie Albert. Eddie enlisted and served in the Australian Army during WWII, and it is his story upon which Tony’s concept for the artwork is based.

This is an atrocity and should be removed there is nothing cultural or positive about the message it sends to the public.

Prefer the brozen traditional memorial sculptures. These ones are nice and all but just looks like giant toy bullets.

This massive sculpture stands in Hyde Park as a tribute to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander war veterans - its both moving and impressive.

Monument honours the bravery and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men who have served their country (Australia)