Yarn Up participants
Verna Koolmatrie
Verna Koolmatrie, Clyde Rigney, Dorothy Shaw and John Pearson discuss the Raukkan community’s long history of service in the defence forces from World War 1 onward.
» read more
Les Knox
Les Knox shares stories of his Grandfather John Knox, who served in World War 2, and his cousin Bluey Lang who also served.
» read more
Pat Kopusar
Pat Kopusar talks about her life and family history, including her much loved Uncle Arthur ‘Artie’ Harris who served in World War 2, and her eldest sister Ella Thompson’s time in the Women’s Land Army.
» read more
Leslie Kropinyeri
Leslie Kropinyeri discusses his experiences in undertaking National Service during the Vietnam War including the lasting friendships he made during his time, and the positive experience he had in the service. Les also discusses his experiences coming home after Vietnam including his work within...
» read more
Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard, a Ngarrindjeri man, was born in 1946 at Point Mcleay Mission, known as Raukkan to local Aboriginal people. Frank was conscripted for Vietnam as a 20 year old in late 1966, and was posted to the Medical Corp. Frank was Deputy Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War...
» read more
Annie Lange
Sisters Annie Lange and Irma Blitner talk about their father Gerry Blitner who served in the Air Force on Groote Eylandt during World War 2, where he and other indigenous men worked building airstrips and undertaking coastal air and sea surveillance.
» read more
Eric Law
Eric Law recounts his service in Vietnam, and his father’s service during World War 1. Family, home, and education are strong recurrent themes as Eric relates stories about his family and community, and of his homecoming from Vietnam, the support of various organisations, and his participation...
» read more
Elgan Leedie
Elgan Leedie and his father Simon Leedie discuss their family’s history of service, and Elgan recounts his own years in the Australian Army. Simon’s uncle joined the Army during the First World War, dying at age 23 in Belgium. Elgan joined the Australian Army in the early 1980s, served with 2nd/...
» read more
Simon Leedie
Simon Leedie and his son Edgar Leedie discuss their family’s history of service, and Elgan recounts his own years in the Australian Army. Simon’s uncle joined the Army during the First World War, dying at age 23 in Belgium. Elgan joined the Australian Army in the early 1980s, served with 2nd/4th...
» read more
Pattie Lees
Pattie Lees discusses her service with the Navy, the path that led to that service, and her later life. Born in Cairns as one of six children, Pattie and her siblings were taken into government care and eventually split up, with Pattie and her brother being sent to Palm Island.
» read more
