I initially joined the Australian Army as an ECN 500 Gap Year on 11th February 2008, completing basic training at 1 Recruit Training Battalion (1RTB), Kapooka and Initial Employment Training at the School of Armour, Puckapunyal before proceeding to my first posting at 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (LHR) Queensland Mounted Infantry (QMI) as an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) Driver.
I spent 14 years in the Army from 2008-2022. Most of my time was spent in South East Queensland where I was posted to both 2/14 LHR (QMI) located at Gallipoli Barracks from 2008-2016 and Defence Force Recruiting (Specialist Team Indigenous) from 2017-2019. In 2020, I was posted on promotion to the rank of Sergeant (SGT) to 1st Armoured Regiment at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia before Service transferring to the Royal Australian Air Force as a Specialist Capability Officer – Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO) for the RAAF Base Edinburgh and Edinburgh Precinct.
During my tenure at 2/14 LHR (QMI) I deployed as part of Mentoring Task Force Four (MTF-4) on Operation SLIPPER 2012 in Afghanistan. Whilst deployed on MTF-4 I was an ASLAV Gunner operating the turret of the ASLAV with secondary duty as Combat First Aider where I aided the Patrol Base medic on a number of mass casualty events. Also with 2/14 LHR (QMI) I took part in Operation Flood Assist 2 2013 as a Section Commander, tasked with cleaning up and helping locals regain normalcy, and with Rifle Company Butterworth Rotation 111 as Section Commander, leading a section conducting jungle warfare in Malaysia and Thailand. During my time at 1st Armoured Regiment I deployed on Operation COVID Assist where I was a quarantine hotel Officer in Charge (OIC).
Following my service transfer from Army to RAAF, I was commissioned as Flying Officer in mid-August 2022 and am currently posted to 24 Squadron as the RAAF Base Edinburgh Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO). In my current role as ILO, I am the direct conduit between the Edinburgh Defence Precinct and local Indigenous Communities, in particular the Kaurna mob. I also support and promote RAAF First Nations initiatives, provide cultural education/guidance to Unit Executives and all Defence personnel, and initiate community engagements, continually strengthening ties to the air, land, sea and Country.
My Heritage is Torres Strait Islander from the islands of Erub and Mer and Maori descent from the Maori iwi of Ngati Whatua. I am married to Kayla who is also a current serving member of the RAAF. We have two daughters – Chanelle and Ariana. Sports in general is a big part of me, however I favour Rugby Union, Touch Football and Volleyball. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family and friends and exploring my current posting locality
