By SGT Mark Eaton
Volume 48, No. 19, October 19, 2006
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ENTHRALLED: Lloyd Brown shows Brodie Parsons how to hold the spear and woomera.
Photo by LAC Steve Duncan |
MONTHS of hard work came to fruition at the inaugural RAAF Base Tindal Aboriginal Cultural Awareness afternoon, held recently.
Aboriginal elders and representatives from the local Wardaman and Jawoyn language groups demonstrated various forms of Aboriginal culture to more than 400 Tindal personnel, families and visiting US Marines.
Demonstrations and lessons in didgeridoo playing, spear-throwing and basket-weaving were among the activities. Traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art and crafts were also on display and for sale.
Tindal’s Aboriginal Liaison Officer, 75SQN avionics technician SGT Wade Shipway, described the afternoon as a great success. He said the willingness of local Aboriginal communities to be involved in the afternoon was one of the positive outcomes of his secondary role.
“I travel in my duties to festivals and visit many remote Aboriginal communities. Through this interaction, I have built a strong relationship with elders and community members,” he said. “The communities have also agreed to open up areas of their land for Air Force activities, such as 4WD training courses.”
SGT Shipway said the unique liaison role was created in February to increase the awareness the local Air Force community has of Aboriginal culture and the Katherine Aboriginal community.
“The cultural day was also intended to dispel many of the myths about a posting to Tindal regarding interaction with the local Aboriginal community,” he said.
