Michael ‘Mick’ Markham discusses his service in the army during the Vietnam War. Mick served in Vietnam with 9RAR and made friends he still has today. But looking back he questions why we needed to go to Vietnam in the first place. Mick also discusses his family and background - his mother was part of the Stolen Generations- and his life after the services, including PTSD, alcoholism and related issues. He speaks about getting assistance himself and helping other veterans to access health and other services. Mick also talks about his close connection with his culture and land, the Vietnam ‘Welcome Home’ parade in 1987, and about the importance and meaning to him of trips he has made back to Vietnam in more recent times, something that for many years he never imagined he would ever do.

This interview took place on 14 September 2015 in Pine Creek and was conducted by Professor Mick Dodson and Dr Allison Cadzow 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), Mick Markham. 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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