Australia's Frontier Wars gain recognition through marches and desert symbols
A growing movement is honouring Australia's Frontier Wars with new symbols and public marches. Each year, hundreds gather to remember the conflicts between Indigenous Australians and colonial settlers. This year, a police line met demonstrators in Canberra during an Anzac Day event.
At the same time, the University of Sydney faces backlash over plans to cut arts programmes. Students are protesting against staff layoffs, course closures, and the shutdown of the Callan Park campus.
The Frontier Wars were a long series of clashes during British colonisation. Indigenous communities resisted white settlement, but these struggles remain largely unrecognised in official remembrance. Activists now use the Desert Pea—a native flower—as a symbol, much like the red poppy for other wars.
Hazel Davies, a florist and activist, teaches people to craft Desert Pea wreaths. These wreaths are worn or displayed at annual marches, which have spread to other parts of the country. The events draw crowds who want to acknowledge a history often overlooked.
Meanwhile, the University of Sydney has proposed drastic cuts to its College of the Arts. The plan includes sacking 60% of staff, scrapping courses, and closing the Callan Park campus. Students have responded with protests, demanding the university reverse its decision.
A podcast series, The Art of the Matter – Activism and the Arts, explores how creative work can drive social change. Episodes cover topics like colonialism, climate action, and Aboriginal sovereignty. Writer Tony Birch recently discussed Indigenous resilience in an episode titled Environmental Defenders: Writing and Fighting for the Environment. The series highlights artists and activists using their skills to challenge injustice and inspire action.
The Desert Pea marches continue to grow, offering a public space to remember the Frontier Wars. More cities are adopting similar events, signalling a shift in how Australia confronts its past.
At the University of Sydney, the fight to save the arts college shows no signs of slowing. Students and staff are pushing back against cuts, arguing that creative education remains vital. Both movements reflect a broader demand for recognition—of history, culture, and the role of the arts in society.
