WOLLONGONG’S first memorial plaque commemorating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women of Australia who fought in battle defending the nation will be unveiled tomorrow (Tuesday).

At the event, Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery and Uncle Richard Archibald will unveil the plaque at the Wollongong cenotaph at 2.30pm.

Mr Archibald’s descendent, Private Frank Richard Archibald died fighting on the Kokoda Trail in a battle to defend Australia on November 24 1942.

A campaign after years of fundraising enabled six Aboriginal family members and others to the gravesite of their fallen relative, Private Frank Archibald, at Bomana War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea Last Anzac Day.

When they attended to the gravesite, family members carried out a culturally appropriate Aboriginal ceremony that finally bought to rest the spirit of their fallen family member.

The Kokoda Aboriginal Serviceman’s Campaign Committee will now be holding a special event to commemorate all Aboriginal fallen soldiers. The event will be followed by the world premiere of the Kokoda documentary DVD.

Spirit of the Warriors is a 30 minute documentry telling the story of the epic journey to bring the spirits of six Aboriginal soldiers who fell on the Kokoda Track back to their Country.