L-R Harry Allie (Retired Member of the Australian Air Force and NSW Centenary of ANZAC Ambassador), Pastor Ray Minniecon and Coloured Diggers Media Officer Don Stewart
In late 2013, the City’s History Unit engaged Aboriginal researcher Fabri Blacklock to carry out oral history interviews with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service people and their families. These interviews will support the development of an artwork in Hyde Park by Aboriginal artist Tony Albert that honours the sacrifices and bravery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women.
Fabri has already collected nine oral history interviews with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women and their families, including artist Tony Albert and Pastor Ray Minniecon. She is in discussion with another six people to share their stories, and further interviews were carried out at Redfern Community Centre as part of the Coloured Diggers ANZAC Day March on 25 April 2014.
When the project is completed in July 2014, the oral history interviews, excerpts and transcripts will be published on the City’s new oral history website.
Fabri’s interviews join the two interviews already published on the website with Harry Allie and Col Watego. It is hoped that up to 20 stories will take pride of place on the oral history website to acknowledge the valuable contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women.
The City’s new oral history website at www.sydneyoralhistories.com.au features a growing collection of more than 60 audio recordings and transcripts capturing aspects of Sydney life not normally found in historical records, including interviews with shopkeepers, residents and everyday people. The oral histories on the website are mostly presented as the full interview in both audio and transcript forms, accompanied by an edited excerpt from the full interview.
Colin Watego
“I took over as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 8th/12th Medium Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery – which is now located in Darwin – their colour patch, the patch that those soldiers wear to identify themselves to that unit, is exactly the same colour patch my father wore when he was a serving soldier. So, to me, that’s very important. I put a lot of emphasis and a lot of significance on ceremony, protocol and tradition and, for me, I must admit that that was one of the highlights of my own military career.”
Colin Watego reached the high rank of Warrant Officer First Class in the Australian Army. In his interview he talks about the Defense Forces, family life, youth community organisations and his religious beliefs; and the links between them all.
www.sydneyoralhistories.com.au/belief/colin-watego
Harry Allie
“One uncle was in World War I and he served in World War II – I had another uncle that served in World War II. My aunty served in the Land Army and I can always remember, growing up – my grandmother lived next door – there was always a photo on the mantelpiece of them in uniform. And plus my grandfather, he looked after the stockyard for the horses to go over to Egypt [in World War I]… So, we’ve had an understanding of that sort of involvement and commitment. ”
Harry Allie joined the Australian Air Force in 1966. In this interview he talks about his early life, his decades in the Defense Forces and the ‘Coloured Digger’ movement in NSW. In his interview, Harry talks about his family members’ commitment to the Defense Forces at home and abroad.
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