Pride in his warrior ancestors and a burning desire to promote the role of Aboriginal soldiers inspired Melbourne musician Dave Arden to pen a song on the topic.
Former servicemen have praised the project which, after gathering momentum and a touch of "star factor" with the help of Paul Kelly, will now play a pivotal role at Anzac Day memorials.
Dave Arden's great uncles fought in the First World War, and their stories inspired him to pen a song in their honour.
In particular is the tale of Reg Saunders, who rose from the rank of private and became the first Aboriginal commissioned officer.
“That achievement was overwhelming to me,” Mr Arden told SBS.
“Striving to get to that level of what he wanted to do in life.”
But Dave Arden didn't work alone.
Inspired by war-time images of Indigenous and non-Indigenous soldier mates he balanced the song by enlisting the help of a famous friend.
“I write the words and I go if there's anything you need to re-write to put your perspective and your spirit within it please do, Paul,” said Mr Arden, referring to prolific Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly.
“We sat down and got writing at his place and it's basically Freedom Calls as it is today.”
There's little doubt Paul Kelly's participation will lift the song's profile, but for Dave Arden this project is personal.
Mr Arden discovered his musical gift when he was placed in a boys' home.
“Fortunately there was a guitar teacher there, and I asked 'I would love to play guitar' and my journey took from there and it was music,” he said.
During the journey he's worked with many notable Australian acts but he says because of the issue it covers, this project is career defining.
Old soldiers agree.
Graham Atkinson was conscripted to fight in Vietnam in the late 1960's and describes his army experiences as mixed.
He said the military focus and discipline of the Army helped him, but there was a down-side.
“When people knew that I was Aboriginal it was often the case that they would have digs that included racial slurs.”
Mr Atkinson is far more positive about a modern military which promotes the uniform as a "green-skin" uniting race and culture. A message he says Dave Arden nailed in his song.
“All power to him and I reckon it should raise the profile of Aboriginal soldiers and service women. [It should be raised because they did make a very constructive contribution to the Australian war effort, wherever it was.”
Dave will perform the song in Canberra on Anzac Day: 'Lest we forget when freedom calls'
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