Photograph by Belinda Mason OAM 2024, inkjet on brushed aluminium 60cm x 40cm
Alisha Gurruwiwi
Galpu
Private
Arnhem Squadron
NORFORCE
Regional Force Surveillance Group
Australian Army
“Life is all about experiencing new things. You don’t want to look back and regret.”
I am 23 years old and come from Elcho Island which is known to its traditional owners as Galiwinku. It is an island off the coast of Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory of Australia. I have four siblings, but I grew up in Melbourne, flying back home for school holidays. I enjoyed living across two cultures, one a cold city and the other a warm community.
I enlisted in 2024 because I wanted to experience something completely different. I joined the Australian Army Reserves and I’m with the Arnhem Squadron North-West Mobile Force (NORFORCE). I wanted to see what it would be like, and give myself the opportunity to meet new people, make friends and create memories. Defence gives me the chance to learn and experience new things, and it’s never too late to do this.