Photograph by Belinda Mason OAM 2018, inkjet on brushed aluminium 60cm x 40cm
Wiradjuri
Leading Aircraftman
Royal Australian Air Force
Australian Operational Service Medal – Greater Middle East Operation
Australian Defence Medal
“I serve this country and its people, I am proud of my culture and my people, I will fight for what is right and true, I will always stand fast for my culture and its people and defend it no matter what.”
I joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 2008 as an Aircraft Life Support Fitter, and after my basic and employment training, I was posted to No 37 Squadron (37SQN) at RAAF Base Richmond NSW from 2009 to 2012. As a member of 37SQN, I conducted Aero Medical Evacuation (AME) and survival training and participated in Exercises Pitch Black, Taipan Strike, and Aces North. In the years following my posting to 37SQN, I was posted to 1SQN at RAAF Base Amberley from 2012 to 2015. In this squadron, I participated in Exercises Pitch Black, Aces North and Aces South
In 2015, I re-mustered to become a member of Air Force Security (AFSEC) as a Military Working Dog Handler (MWDH) and was assigned to the 11-month-old Military Working Dog Tobruk. Upon graduating as an MWDH, I was assigned to 3 Security Forces (3SECFOR) at RAAF Base Edinburgh and deployed to the Middle East on Operation ACCORDION in 2017.
In 2018, I was appointed as the 3SECFOR Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO). I represented my squadron in the Indigenous Youth Program as a mentor, along with participating in the Catafalque Party for the Aboriginal Veterans Commemorative Service, the NAIDOC celebrations and the 2018 GARMA festival. In 2020, I was posted to Defence Force Recruiting (DFR) Albury as the first member of the Specialist Recruitment Team – Indigenous for the Albury area. This position brought me a number of challenges as I encountered members of the Defence Force who did not comprehend our culture or best practices when dealing with communities.
With the passing of MWD Tobruk, I discharged from the RAAF in 2022 as a result of these challenges. In recognition of my service, I was awarded the Australian Operational Service Medal – Greater Middle East Operation and the Australian Defence Medal in 2017.
