Contemplate those four standing bullets and three fallen shells. This is Yininmadyemi – Thou didst let fall. It stands in Hyde Park South. It commemorates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service.
Yininmadyemi means Thou Didst Let Fall. The name comes from the local Indigenous language of Sydney. Second Lieutenant William Dawes recorded it. He studied the Aboriginal people of Sydney in the late 18th century.
The sculpture’s title uses poetic metonymy. This enhances its commemorative purpose. Yininmadyemi – Thou didst let fall was unveiled on March 31, 2015. Tony Albert created this artwork. He is an Indigenous Australian artist.
The bullets in Yininmadyemi – Thou didst let fall are seven metres tall. They are made of painted aluminum, black marble and Corten steel. The three fallen shell casings lie beside them. A crushed granite base supports the bullets and shells. The base is shaped like a boomerang. Albert was inspired by international memorials. He looked at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin.
The bullets are modelled on the .303 round. This was standard ammunition for the Australian military. It was used in both World Wars and the Korean War. Albert chose the bullet as a symbol for conflict. It also represents human existence. The boomerang shape represents hope. Families gave boomerangs to soldiers. They hoped for their safe return.
The inscription honors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They served in nearly every conflict. They participated in peacekeeping missions. This has been since the beginning of the twentieth century. Anita Heiss collaborated with Albert on the inscription. The inscription also acknowledges racial discrimination. Indigenous veterans were not adequately recognised for decades.
Yininmadyemi – Thou didst let fall reflects Albert’s grandfather’s war experience. Eddie Albert served in World War Two. He was captured as a prisoner of war in Libya. He escaped from an Italian POW camp. He was then recaptured. Three of his fellow Allied soldiers were executed. The three fallen shells represent this story.
The City of Sydney commissioned this artwork. It is part of the Eora Journey program. This program recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. It also celebrates their history. Albert’s design was chosen from 14 submissions.
Yininmadyemi – Thou didst let fall stands beside the ANZAC War Memorial. This has been a major commemorative site since 1934. The location is also important to the Gadigal people. They are one of the clans of the Eora Nation. The site was a ritual contest ground. It was a crossroads for walking trails. It was also a gathering place for Aboriginal ceremony.
Some find Yininmadyemi – Thou didst let fall “heavy-handed”. Others appreciate its “refreshing” view of war’s horrors.
Yininmadyemi – Thou didst let fall serves as a reminder. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have always defended their country. Their service deserves recognition and respect. We remember those fallen. We honor those standing at Yininmadyemi – Thou didst let fall.