First Nations veteran stories

As a part of NAIDOIC 2023, This Story Australia was funded to travel to the Torres Strait, Far North and Central Queensland to capture the unique stories of our Indigenous veterans.

Veterans featured include Vietnam veterans - Sapper Claude Malone and Ordinary Seaman (Quartermaster Gunner) Marsat James Ketchell, and Gulf War veteran – Chief Petty Officer Ray Rosendale CSM.    

Malone, born and raised in Cherbourg, volunteered for the military when he left school as he believed it was the only way to make a living and avoid being victim to stolen wages policies. He was one of an approximate 300-500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen to undertake deployment in Vietnam throughout the duration of the conflict. A member of the Royal Australian Engineers Unit, Claude was exposed to dangerous frontline duties as one of the ‘Tunnel Rats’ tasked with searching, clearing and destroying enemy bunker systems – a job that came with a 36% casualty rate.      

Ketchell, from the Torres Strait, enlisted in the Navy as a junior recruit at age 15. Following his deployment to Vietnam in a logistic support role, Ketchell travelled extensively in several different roles, from clearing World War 2 ordinance in Papua New Guinea to training counter–piracy staff in the Philippines. After 26 years of service he returned to his island home to become the first ever mental health worker, indigenous or non-indigenous, to be permanently based in the Torres Strait and Northern Cape York Peninsular region. 

Ray, a Kuku Yalanji man of the Western Sunset people, whose traditional lands are situated northwest of Cairns in Far North Queensland, enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy in 1991. He served in the first Gulf War onboard HMAS Canberra before continuing his service in Australia and as staff in the Office of the Chief of Navy. Ray, who retired from the Navy in 2017 following a lengthy and decorated career, reflects fondly on his life in the military and is today a passionate advocate for encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to consider a life in Defence.  

Together, these veterans share some incredible insights not only from their service, but what it has been like to grow up in an ever-changing Australia. 

After the talk, visitors are invited to explore the Memorial Galleries, embarking on an interactive journey from the First World War to today, before taking time to reflect on the remarkable stories of bravery and sacrifice in the tranquil parklands. 

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