Sterling (Sonny) Minniecon
Kabi Kabi and Gurang Gurang (South East Queensland)
Lance Corporal
1st and 7th Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment
Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Australian Army
Medals
Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with clasp Vietnam
Vietnam Medal
Defence Force Service Medal with 1st clasp
National Medal wih 1st clasp
Australian Defence Medal
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Infantry Combat Badge
“My brother Sonny Minniecon, was a proud Kabi Kabi and Gurang Gurang man who also has strong connections to South Sea Islander people and the people of Ambrym Island. In 1967, Sonny enlisted in the Royal Australian Regiment and completed four tours of Vietnam. Sonny and I had two grandfathers who served in World War I in the 11th Light Horse Brigade: Private Jim Lingwoodock and John Geary as well as our brother Philip who also served in the Australian Defence Force. Some of our diggers returned to find that while they had been away fighting for their country, their wives had been denied access to their pay, or even worse, that their children had been taken and placed in institutions.”
– Pastor Ray Minniecon, Sonny’s brother