The co-founder of the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee has told Indigenous servicepeople "you will not be forgotten again" at the Shrine of Remembrance on Bunarong Country during Reconciliation Week.

Defence Force personnel, politicians, Victorian Treaty representatives, members of the local Aboriginal community and wider public convened for the 19th annual Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service on Friday.

Following speeches, and performance from Worowa Aboriginal College's Girls Choir, the Eternal Flame was adorned with wreaths paying tribute to those to have served their country.

Retired flight sergeant Sam Hallum said the collective gathering was a far-cry to the service he helped institute as Healesville RSL sub-branch president and after advocating from the late Aunty Dot Peters, who's father Vincent fought in the second world war.

Mr Hallum co-founded the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee, and expressed his appreciation for the attendance of Attorney General Mark Dreyfus, who he said was the first Federal Government representative to join in its history.

Mr Hallum said "I knew I had to act" when Aunty Dot came to him asking for a service to properly honour her father and other First Nations people "who had fought and died for Australia".

"There was very little appetite for recognition of Indigenous military service back then (at its inception). Some people actively opposed it, which was why we had to fight so hard to have the service," he said.

"Here was an opportunity to right the wrongs of the past. To rewrite one of our military history's darkest chapters.

"From my own days in the Royal Australian Air Force, I have always held the belief that if you fight for your country, then your country owes you acknowledgement (and) equality."

Victorian Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins said "Throughout our history, First Nations people and their families have made significant sacrifices serving our country. But for too long that service was not recognised. Today we recognise that service and say thank you."

A similar sentiment was shared by Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman, who said the service pays tribute to their sacrifice.

For Palawa man, service MC and ex-Australian Regiment serviceman, Charles Pakana, the morning acknowledged his family and many others.

"It is particularly important to me because it pays recognition to my father, who died as a result of his fighting as an Aboriginal infantryman in the Second World War, and also to those men and women with whom I served during my time in the army," Mr Pakana told National Indigenous Times.

"It is recognition, long past due. That recognition is now firmly a part of the Victorian fabric."

The Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service is held during Reconciliation Week each year.

"When we hold the service every year as we have done for the past 18 years, we come together as one and respect and unity, calling for equity and justice for all Australians. This is a message that lies at the very heart of the service," Mr Hallum said.