NAIDOC Week
This year’s theme of ‘For Our Elders’ highlights and recognises the important work of Defence Elders.
Highly respected Defence Elders are appointed across all services. They play a key role in strengthening cultural knowledge and building links between Defence and Indigenous communities.
These appointments build on the proud history of First Nations’ service within the Australian Defence Force (ADF), which spans more than a century.
Defence Elders and former sailors Aunty Frances Visini and Uncle Phillip Bowie are proud Torres Strait Islanders who work to support Indigenous sailors and officers, along with Navy’s Indigenous Development Program (NIDP).
“The main focus of our role is to support, mentor, guide and inspire our Indigenous recruits during their journey in the NIDP,” Aunty Fran said.
“We make sure their needs are culturally met and break down barriers where needed, especially in the area of language, as for some recruits English is their second or third language.”
Aunty Lorraine Hatton – a Quandamooka Elder of the Noonuccal and Ngughi (Ngugi) people of South-East Queensland and originally from Minjerribah in Queensland – has been an Army Elder for three years. She served with the Army for 20 years in the Royal Australian Signals Corps and is an advocate for numerous veterans, youth and community initiatives.
Aunty Lorraine represents serving and veteran Indigenous personnel. She collaborates with Army’s Indigenous Cultural Advisory Board and advises Army’s senior leaders on matters relating to Indienous personnel, cultural matters and Indigenous initiatives.
“Working as an Army Elder allows me to reconnect with my Army family and navigate between Army and Indigenous communities. I have met so many inspirational people in this role and established long-lasting relationships,” Aunty Lorraine said.
You can learn more about Aunty Lorraine’s story on the Serving Country website
Air Force Indigenous Elder and Lunga Kitja woman, Aunty Deborah (Deb) Booker, is a First Nations advisor and leader to more than 400 Indigenous aviators. Aunty Deb assumes the role of First Nations ‘cultural guide’ for Air Force personnel.
Aunty Deb was born in Pinjarra, Western Australia, before moving to Alice Springs as a child, where she was immersed in Aboriginal culture from an early age in a community of close aunties and uncles.
Aunty Deb served in Air Force for more than 13 years, primarily as a reservist supporting Indigenous recruitment and community engagement activities. While in Air Force, Aunty Deb took part in Exercise Kummundoo and played a key role in shaping the Tri-Service Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Course, which assists Indigenous recruits with enlistment.
You can learn more about Aunty Deb’s story on the Defence News website.
To learn more about ADF or Australian Public Service career and employment pathways, visit Defence Jobs’ Indigenous pathways site or the First Nations career and employment pathways site.
