Born in North Queensland into a Torres Strait Islander family, George Akee joined the army in 1988 and served for six years. George grew up in Townsville and served most of his Army career there as well. George talks about his basic training at Kapooka and Singleton and how difficult it was physically, and about the racism he experienced, ‘man it was the hardest time of my life. But it strengthened me … to what I am today.’ During his time in the Army as a machine gunner, George had the opportunity to travel and train internationally including in Malaysia, New Zealand and the USA.

• Listen to George’s interview on Thursday Island;
• Return to the Thursday Island Yarn Up page.