Photograph by Belinda Mason OAM 2015, inkjet on brushed aluminium 60cm x 40cm
Torres Strait
Corporal
Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Australian Army
Australian Active Service Medal with clasp Somalia
Australian Service Medal with clasp SE Asia
National Medal
Australian Defence Medal
Meritorious Unit Citation – Somalia
Infantry Combat Badge
Returned from Active Service Badge
“The person I am today is due to my service for this country which I love and respect for life.”
I was born in Townsville, one of seven children. My father is from Saibai Island, and his totem is the Cassowary. My mother is from Stephen Island, and her totem is the Torres Strait Pigeon. I was an active kid growing up and I enjoyed all contact sports. This lifestyle groomed me for my career in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). I enlisted into the ADF in the early 80s, and it was go-go-go-go from the start. I travelled around Australia and the world due to my service, and I enjoyed living on the EDGE. I experienced good times and bad, sad and happy times, friendly and dangerous situations, discriminatory behaviour, and made best friends for life.
It has been a privilege and honour to serve in the ADF. I cherish the traits I have taken away from my service, which I use nowadays in a mentoring role and as an Elder within my family and community. Nowadays, I am actively involved with my mother’s Island in the Torres Strait, and I am hopeful to be appointed as a Director of our Corporation, which oversees Traditional Owners (TO’s) initiatives and interests on Stephen Island.
