'Our Mob Served' Dubbo, Narribri and Moree Yarn Ups

Patricia Neal went to see the project team at the Aboriginal Employment Strategy Office in Dubbo and shared information about members of her family who had served including  George Percy Wallace who was killed in action in World War 1 and is buried in Belgium. Patricia also discussed her research into family history and her relative Gundi who was treated poorly after his First World War service, and who did not engage with Anzac Day as a result.

On the way from Dubbo to Moree the team stopped at Narrabri to talk with Les Knox who shared stories of his Grandfather John Knox, who served in World War 2, and his cousin Bluey Lang, who also served and was a passionate advocate for wider recognition of aboriginal service.

James McDermott discussed the service of his father Claude McDermott who was captured and held for 3 and a half years as a POW in Changi in Singapore during World War 2.

The Moree Yarn Up was held at the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre where Noeline Briggs-Smith showed photos of Aboriginal servicemen’s graves that she has campaigned to have recognised with plaques at the Moree cemetery.  Noeline’s interview focuses on her own family and community stories of war, and touches on many familiar themes such as bravery, death, injury, disease, post-traumatic stress, as well as issues of racism, rights, equality, and recognition.

Edward Pitt shared his experiences and those of his friends in the defence force across several conflicts, and his great satisfaction in his service as an army reservist in the 1970s.