Ken Nelliman

I am a proud descendant of the Torres Strait Islands with my mother being from Murray Island in the east, and my father from Badu Island located in the western island groups. I was born, raised and educated in Townsville until commencing a public service traineeship in Brisbane. I enlisted into the Australian Army in January 1987 and upon completion of my recruit training, was allocated to the Royal Australian Armoured Corps as a driver signaller. Throughout my 28 years of service within the Australian Army, I have served in many regimental and non-regimental postings. I have occupied many positions in rank from Trooper to Warrant Officer Class Two within Armoured Regiments, including 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, B Squadron 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Cavalry Regiment and the School of Armour in either the regimental or instructional role respectively.

My non-corps postings include the 1st Recruit Training Battalion as Recruit Instructor and the Combat Training Centre in both the Observer Trainer and Operations Warrant Officer positions. My operational deployments include Operation Solace in Somalia in 1992 as an armoured crew commander with B Squadron 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment, which formed part of the 1st Battalion Group. My next two deployments were both as a Squadron Sergeant Major with Overwatch Battlegroup West – Two in Southern Iraq on Operation Catalyst in 2006 and later in 2008 during Operation Slipper in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. In January 2014, I was posted to Defence Force Recruiting as the Team Leader for Specialist Recruitment Team – Indigenous where I currently serve. This team was established to raise and promote awareness of careers within the Australian Defence Force and to mentor young Indigenous men and women through the recruiting process, and has been successful since its inception. I enjoy all sports, in particular both Rugby League and Rugby Union. I am currently the team manager for both the Australian Defence Force and Australian Army Indigenous Rugby League Teams.