Torres Strait Islander Ezra Anu joined the army at age 18 in 1977, having grown up in North Queensland after his parents moved the family down from Saibai Island in 1968 looking for a better life and more opportunity. Ezra’s father had served in the Torres Strait Light Infantry Brigade and this inspired Ezra and motivated him to join up, as did hearing stories from cousins who had served in the Army and Navy, including in Vietnam. Ezra’s 22 years in the Navy included serving in Malaya in the early 1980s and training British troops in Europe in the late 1980s. Alongside his experiences in the Navy, in this interview Ezra also talks about his work and life after leaving the Navy in 1999.

• Listen to Ezra’s interview in Canberra;
• Return to the Canberra Yarn Up page.