John Scrutton

I enlisted in the Air Force in 1967 and served as an Air Frame Fitter with the RAAF until 1973 on a variety of aircraft types, including servicing Canberra bombers in Malaysia during the Vietnam War. I re-enlisted in 1978 after Cyclone Tracy. After more than 20 years’ military service, I retired from the RAAF in 1992.

Since I got out of the RAAF, I served some time on a committee for Aboriginal children in schools as my wife was also Aboriginal. I ended up chairing and organising the meetings. This led to mentoring a couple of boys well known to the Justice Department and I sat with them in court sessions. In 1974, the last term of school was vacant as one of the lady Aboriginal/Islander education officers at Midvale Primary School was moving on, so I filled in. They liked my skills and understanding, and I got the job from 1995-2000. I then moved on to the same job at Forrestfield Senior High School until 2002. I then left as I was in burnout with PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. The only sweet spot was recognition of service as an Aboriginal serviceman. We marched at the head of the ANZAC Parade in Perth and then unveiled a plaque in Belmont to commemorate Aboriginal servicemen especially in Vietnam but in all wars. Peacekeeping missions and other duties also had Defence representatives from an Aboriginal background.

I did Security for the next three years in mostly isolated and unsafe areas, but it gave me a break from a broken marriage and many other worries. So from 2003 to 2006, I basically worked 12-hour shifts five-six days a week. In 2007 and 2008, I took out juveniles to do community work for their offences. I then left Perth and came up to Darwin, close to home. I did night watch on boarding students at Kormilda College, minded a property at Adelaide River, aged care with Red Cross and three and a half years as handyman at Aboriginal hostels. Then, being 66½ years old, I got a Housing unit and retired. This gave me more time to chase up Defence claims I had started. In February 2016, I finally got my other two medals, and in 2021, I finally got my knee claim recognised. It has not been an easy road, as I still struggle with PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. I find now I do not fully fit in with the RAAF life and lost my Aboriginality, so I have no solid footprint in either culture.

But I have done a successful story of my grandmother who was Aboriginal, had lots of help and recognition from the Arts Perspective and earned a couple of certificates.

In recent years, I have been a part of the Darwin CemeNTheads community arts program for people dealing with mental health issues. I read my poem, ‘Gone Fishing’ and other stories at the 2017 and 2018 Darwin Fringe Festivals, at the 2018 Darwin Festival for ‘SPUN: True Stories Told in the Territory’ and at Meeting Place in Alice Springs. In 2020, my story about my Aboriginal grandmother, Nellie ‘Shotgun’ Flynn, ‘The Real Map of Batchelor According to Me’ was published, with illustrations by artist Robyn Frances. My close collaboration with Robyn continued when her portrait of me won first prize in the 2020 Portrait of a Senior Territorian Award. In 2021, I was the Winner of the NT Arts Access Awards, which acknowledges Northern Territory-based artists with disability who have made outstanding contributions through their creative practice.