My family have a proud military history going back generations. This contribution expands across the services in both Australia and Aotearoa. It’s something I’m able to draw strength from to persevere though challenging times.
I was born in Bowen QLD, the eldest of two children. My Dad Mick joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) shortly after I was born and served almost 35 years before retiring as a Warrant Officer. My brother Jason enlisted before me and spent 14 years in the Army before transferring to the RAAF and commissioning as an Indigenous Liaison Officer. My Mum Trish, a vital support to our family as we each navigate service life, worked in Defence as an Australian Public Servant until retiring.
I enlisted into the Air Force at 23 as what is now called an Air Intelligence Analyst-Geospatial Intelligence (AIA-GEOINT). I completed recruit training in Wagga NSW, and initial employment training in Canungra QLD. After training, I’ve worked around Australia, was attached to a United States Air Force squadron in Hawaii and deployed overseas on operations. My duties change with each posting but generally involve collecting and analysing various types of intelligence then using the important pieces to develop different products. These could include making and delivering briefs to provide a commander more detail of a battlespace, or generating weaponeering and targeting solutions for air operations. Some of my favourite GEOINT roles have been mission planning for the F-111 jets, training members for operational deployments, analysing live video from Remotely Piloted Aircraft and helping to stand up a new Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability for Defence.
I enjoy my primary role and am passionate about my culture. My ancestors were warriors and the original protectors of Country – predating Australian military. I’m indebted to people like my Dad, Grandad, and those before me who fought hard to provide the opportunities I have now as a First Nations Australian Defence Force member. Defence hasn’t always been welcoming to our mob. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were actively excluded from service and Torres Strait members were paid one-third the wage their white peers of equal rank received. I appreciate that I have more than my predecessors. I want to follow in their footsteps ensuring that if my nieces enlist, our organisation is better for them.
I deployed on Operation Slipper in the Middle East the same time as my Dad and Brother, which was exciting but made for some nerve wracking moments. It was eye opening to see how our different roles interconnected, contributing to the bigger picture of mission success. To date, we are the first known father-daughter-son to have deployed on the same military operation together. After returning home from operations, we have proudly marched side by side together on multiple occasions. We joined other First Nations veterans (and my eldest niece) to lead the National ANZAC Day march in Canberra (2017) wearing Grandad’s (John Bunji Enchong), medals; he wasn’t awarded all his entitled medals during his lifetime. This occasion allowed us to honour him and all those who fought and died for our country but didn’t receive recognition of this service because of their heritage.
Defence has afforded me many opportunities to remain connected with culture and mob. A favourite was when Dad, Mum and I travelled home to the islands (2018) in our respective Defence roles for the 75th anniversary of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion (TSLIB). The TSLIB is the only Indigenous battalion formed in Australia’s military history and had the highest rate of voluntary enlistment to the war effort (per population) in the world. Being able to experience how events during WWII impacted the Torres Strait and how they’re now incorporated into our Ailan culture through dance and song, keeping all those stories alive was incredible. I’ve worked with Jason on Defence Indigenous recruiting events and youth programs. I loved sharing our experiences and showing how we draw on culture as a strength to make us better in our role in Defence – rather than push it aside or hide it.
I’ve been extremely privileged to spend time with powerhouse Elders like Uncle Harry Allie AM BEM (inaugural RAAF Elder), Uncle Roy Mundine OAM (first Army Elder) and Aunty Lillian Noah (first Torres Strait woman to join the RAAF) and listen to their stories. I’m honoured to have worked with the Australian War Memorial, contributing to the ‘For Country, For Nation’ exhibition and the ‘For Our Country’ memorial pavilion. These projects help ensure First Nations stories are recorded and remembered. Another significant collaboration I achieved was commissioning Kalkadoon artist Chern’ee Sutton to create ‘Caina Putut, Ilya Wartanganha’ (meaning Long ago, Today, Tomorrow”). This artwork represents all our old people who have served in the past and mob who continue to serve in protection of our country.
Service for me is a connection to three proud legacies. The RAAF legacy dating back to 1921, my family legacy – with the “Enchong” name sewn onto my uniform, and my (Torres Strait and Māori) cultural legacies and mana (spirit). Whenever my time is up, if I can look back and say that I’ve contributed to each of those three areas positively, then I’ll be happy.
