Vinnie Rami

I grew up in Numbulwar, which is located at the mouth of Rose River on the western coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria. My father was in NORFORCE in the 1980s, and when I would see him come back home I wanted to be just like him. He taught me the importance of supporting Defence in making sure no illegal activities happen on Australian land and sea. So, in 2008, when I was eighteen years old, I enlisted. I completed the seven-month Defence Indigenous Development Program in 2010 before travelling with Defence to Canberra and Sydney. This was my very first trip outside of the Northern Territory. I remember Canberra being very cold, and in Sydney, visiting Taronga Zoo and seeing animals from around the world for the first time.

I still live in Numbulwar, now with my wife and two daughters. I am currently an assistant teacher, but I am hoping to commence a six month training program to become an Aboriginal Community Police Officer. My wife is an Aboriginal Liaison Officer with the local police. For our two daughters, who are eight and thirteen years old, we wish them to have a bright and better future. Our eldest is attending boarding school at Worawa Aboriginal College in Melbourne. We would like to see them both finish high school and go to university as having an education is the key to a brighter and better future. They will be able to walk between two worlds for the benefit of all.