Irma Blitner and Annie Lange are sisters. Their father Gerry Blitner worked for the Air Force on Groote Eylandt during World War 2, where he and other indigenous men built airstrips, disposed of ordinance and undertook coastal air and sea surveillance. The sisters recall their father’s experiences and the conditions he endured while he served including receiving no pay, only rations. Irma and Annie said that they learnt much of this history from their father while travelling around Groote with him when they were children, and that he would show them where things happened during the war and tell them many stories about his experiences. Irma and Annie also talk about their father’s very active role in campaigning for recognition and entitlements for Aboriginal service men including back pay and compensation. They also share other family stories, including how their mother was evacuated down to Mulgoa near Sydney during the war, where she worked making bullets, before returning north to marry Gerry.

• Listen to Irma and Annie’s interview at the Darwin Yarn Up;
• Return to the Darwin Yarn Up 2016 page.