The Department of Defence has released a new video focusing on the stories of past and present Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicewomen and the women who supported them.
The video was launched by the Minister for Defence, Senator Marise Payne at a ceremony in Sydney as part of the Department’s NAIDOC Week celebrations and reflected the Week’s theme: ‘Because of Her we Can’.
Senator Payne said women made up almost one in five of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service personnel in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and three in five of Defence’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian Public Service workforce.
“These Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are contributing to operations, capability and community every day,” Senator Payne said.
“Women like Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker), Alice Lovett, Martha Alley, Linda Nihill, Myrtle Harris, Ruby Harris, Annie Logan, Dorothy Saunders, and Marjorie Tripp led the way for the current generation of service men and women”.
She acknowledged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who made valuable contributions to Defence in supporting roles.
“Margaret Tucker was renowned for the significant contribution she made in WWII fundraising for the Red Cross and working in a munitions factory.”
The Minister’s launch included a new series of videos on the Pathway Programs designed to inspire and assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women pursue ADF careers.
“The Defence Indigenous Pathway Programs have an important role to play in Closing the Gap in employment, boosting participants’ skills and preparing many recruits for their future careers,” Senator Payne said.
She said several recruits had followed family and friends into the ADF and many attributed their success to the support and encouragement of family.
Defence’s 2-minute video for NAIDOC Week can be accessed at this PS News link.
