I was born and grew up in the Charters Towers/Townsville area, and I am a descendant of the Gudjala Tribal group. I still have close ties to the area, because I still have family living in the area.
After working for the Post Master General’s Department (PMG), I was inspired to join the military by my Uncles who had served in the services during WW1 and WW2 and also an Aunt who served in the Women’s Land Army. Because I felt I needed to improve my opportunities in life, I enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1966 at Townsville North Queensland. After serving for 23 ½ years at a number of units throughout Australia, the USA, and Malaysia, I applied for a discharge in 1989 and I completed my final years of service at units within the Sydney area.
After applying for discharge, I worked in the Defence Industry for 11 years, before joining the Commonwealth Public Service. I was employed in the Public Service for eight years, involved with Indigenous programs and issues. Before retiring in 2010, I was employed by the Department of Families Housing and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in the Sydney Indigenous Coordination Centre.
The many roles I have performed have included Chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee for Canterbury Bankstown City Council, and on the Management Committee of the Bankstown Community Resource Group. I have also been a Committee Member of the Nangahmi Ngallia Aboriginal Corporation, Coloured Diggers Projects and Chair of the NSW Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service Coordinating Committee as well as a Committee Member of the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Services Association and the Ambassador for NSW Anniversary of Gallipoli Council. I have also been a member of the Western Sydney University Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement Advisory Board.
In 2012, I accepted an invitation from (then) Chief of Air Force, AVM Geoff Brown to become the first Indigenous Elder for Air Force. This was a considerable milestone for the Australian Defence Force and in fact all emergency response services within Australia as it signified the inaugural appointment of a dedicated service Elder. To be asked to be the inaugural Air Force Elder was an honour and something I will never forget. I am tremendously proud of the experiences I was able to pass on during my 10 years in this role.
In 2023 I was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for “significant service to veterans, to Indigenous organisations and to the community”. I was immensely proud to be honoured in this way as it is a privilege to assist our veterans. We all served together, I want to ensure we’re travelling well and have an enjoyable life.
