Elijah Costello

I was born and raised in Suva, Fiji until I decided to join the military at 19. I began my journey in the British Army before transferring to the Australian Defence Force in 2018. From a young age, I’ve had a strong desire to explore the world and immerse myself in its diverse cultures, which have always fascinated me deeply. In late 2021, I had the opportunity to serve with 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment (51 FNQR), stationed on Thursday Island. Truthfully, prior to this assignment, my knowledge of the geography and people of the Torres Strait was limited, given my service in the northern hemisphere. This lack of familiarity only fuelled my curiosity.

Looking back now, having spent over 2 years with Charlie Company, it remains one of the most memorable experiences of my military service. I owe these memories to my fellow brothers and sisters I had the privilege to serve alongside during this time. They welcomed me warmly, exuded happiness, and maintained a consistently optimistic outlook on life. In the informal gatherings at Sarpeye Barracks, members of the company shared stories spanning generations of kinship across the islands of the Torres Strait.

It was truly an honour to hear these raw stories, which helped me understand its people and their beautiful culture, preserved with so much pride. The rich family history of Sarpeye is deeply etched within the communities we serve. My relationships within the local community also extended beyond my work environment through my experiences with the local population, who regarded Sarpeye as a significant part of their history and cherished the stories they had heard. We can only thank those founding members who bravely served before us and created the history that we keep today, lest we forget.