George Anderson speaks about his time in the Vietnam War as a conscripted soldier. George explains how he could have declined to register under the rules for Aboriginal Australians, but chose to sign up anyway as he was still an Australian. George discusses his excellent interaction with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, some instances of racism and anti-Vietnam sentiment, but overall how proud he was to serve. He continues to attend Anzac Days and gives talks at schools regularly.

This interview took place on 1 April 2014 in Brisbane and was conducted by Professor Mick Dodson with Craig Greene as part of the Australian Research Council-funded research project Serving our Country: a history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the defence of Australia.

The interview recording above is made available to be viewed here by permission of the interviewee(s), George Anderson. The recording may not be copied, reproduced or communicated in whole or in part without the prior permission of the interviewee(s). Requests for permission for use of this material should be made to the Serving our Country research project: our contact details.

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