PRIDE, PASSION FOR CULTURE
TOWNSVILLE troops have recognised the richness of Indigenous culture during combined NAIDOC, Reconciliation and Remembrance Day celebrations.
Wanting to encourage greater representation of his people and culture within the Australian Defence Force, Indigenous Liaison Officer Flight Lieutenant David Williams sought out the position at RAAF Base Garbutt, Townsville.
“My passion is my people,” he said. “I love to showcase their talent and what they’re capable of doing.”
Flight Lieutenant Williams said a highlight of his posting had been seeing local artist Linda Oliver’s painting hung on display.
“This painting represents the Combat Training Survival School’s crest, which is to adapt and return,” he said.
“The crocodile is always adapting to the environment and always hunting down the people in that environment. The boomerang signifies people returning back to the base safely, which can also be applied broadly across Defence.”
Events held across the region included a special visit by the army’s appointed Indigenous Elder, Lorraine Hatton.
As a former Signals Corp Warrant Officer Class 2, Ms Hatton acts as an adviser to the Chief of Army on Indigenous Affairs.
She said the role was deeply personal as she saw little Indigenous representation during her 20-year career which ended in 2007.
“It’s about sharing,” she said. “Indigenous people have always contributed to the defence force and that’s spanned every peacekeeping (operation) and conflict since federation.
“We have a history and culture that the army is extremely proud of and, I would say their first equal opportunity.”