Normans storm Norforce By Flg-Off Martin Alderette
Edition 1173, August 23, 2007
Family unit: Norforce members Pte Craig Norman, his dad Cpl Jeffrey and cousin Pte Lanceton Norman. Photo by Cpl Bernard Pearson
THREE of the Yanyula Crocs Aussie rules team’s key players are a bit too busy at the moment to play football.
Cpl Jeffrey Norman, his son Pte Craig Norman and nephew Pte Lanceton Norman are serving with Norforce’s Centre Sqn. They are playing their part in Operation Outreach, the Army’s contribution to the Australian Government’s assistance to indigenous communities.
The Norforce soldiers have been warmly welcomed and well received in the communities they have visited.
The three members of the Norman clan are enjoying their experiences with Norforce.
“I joined for my dad; I wanted him to be proud of me,” Craig said. “Mum’s happy and proud of me too,” he added.
Lanceton agreed that his uncle Jeffrey was a positive role model.
“Seeing Uncle Jeffrey in the Army gave a chance to talk to someone and his positive experiences convinced me to enlist,” Lanceton said.
Craig said he found real purpose in being an indigenous soldier.
“It allows me to do the work most non-indigenous soldiers are unable to do, with regards to understanding our culture and where to go and not to go when patrolling the Gulf of Carpentaria,” he said. “There are many places that are considered sacred and we have to enter with great care … we speak to the elders of these communities which in turn allows the unit to do its job.”
A Patrol Commander, Cpl Norman said the Norforce soldiers “spend several weeks at a time patrolling the coast line for illegal fishing, trespassing and protecting the border in general”.
But he looks forward to be able to pass on the mantle to his son. “Craig will be starting further training in September and will some day take out his own section.”
