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TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 8 JUNE 2023
RSL event pays tribute to Indigenous veterans’s service The contributions of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have served and sacrificed for Australia were recognised at RSL Queensland’s annual Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony in Brisbane late last month. In line with National Reconciliation Week, the Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony has become an integral part of the RSL Queensland calendar. RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM said the ceremony was an opportunity for the entire community to acknowledge that many Indigenous veterans were treated neither equally, nor fairly, during but particularly after their return from service. “RSL Queensland aims to create a deeper understanding of our military history by helping to tell the story of indigenous veterans,” Maj Gen Day said. “We continue to acknowledge that Indigenous veterans made a significant contribution in serving our nation, yet many were denied the same pay or entitlements
as other Australian veterans who fought for their country in the same wars.” Navy veteran Marsat Ketchell addressed the ceremony as the keynote speaker. After his 26 years of service, Mr Ketchell played a key role in advocating for Indigenous service men and women, and said he was committed to supporting veteran wellbeing and integration into the community. “Today is an opportunity to share my story and to share the truth,” he said. “The truth that we are still here despite the fact that in the past, both during and after their service, Indigenous and some non-Indigenous personnel and veterans were not treated equally. “We did serve and we’ll continue to serve.” He said he hoped the importance of culture and tradition, and how it can be integrated into the Commonwealth Defence Force, was what people at the ceremony would remember. “It is time join together and recognise the strength of uniting in our differences,” he said. “For us to be fully
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Keynote speaker & Navy veteran Uncle Marsat Ketchell. Pics supplied.
Force culture and tradition.” of increase) our culture operational, in Defence 19x4 colour ad the (*FYimportance July 2022 5% 12 ad booking rate: $295.26incl + 15% RHPCeremony, posn. Loading $339.25inc visit www.rslqld. ad -tradition droppedintegrated to flat rate $335incl [$304.55ex] x12information $4020incl. into Force terms, we’ve[$308.41ex] need to perand For more org/whats-on/indigenous2ndand Thursday month. PROOFon EMAILED E _______/22 -- DEADLINE ____________/22 the Indigenous Veterans’ theofCommonwealth Defence understand each other veterans-ceremony Christina Koullas <christina@ckpr.com.au> OR ‘Chris Foord’ <gmanager@bament.com.au> + Amy Gardner <amy@ckpr.com.au>
Bamaga Enterprises Ltd June Update
Cape York Peninsula Lodge developing tomorrow’s leaders Cape York Peninsula Lodge has launched a six-month traineeship program so high school students in the Northern Peninsula Area can learn life-long skills for future careers. The inspiring program offers work experience across the property’s award-winning dining and accommoda�on facili�es. During the traineeship, students are offered regular work du�es including serving food and drinks, taking down customer orders and clearing tables. Working their way up Locals Ivy Solomon (17 yo) and Zari Hosfield (16 yo), became the Lodge’s first high school trainees for 2023 in March, and have already been hired as casuals. Both want to work in hospitality and tourism once they graduate from high school. Ivy says the program pushed her “out of the comfort zone” and helped her gain invaluable customer service experience.
ABOVE: Uncle Marsat Ketchell, Don Taylor & Bill Whitburn OAM, RSL Qld State Vice President. RIGHT: Attendees left floral & cultural tributes to honour those who have served. BELOW LEFT: RSL Qld State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM & Uncle Marsat Ketchell.
Uncle Marsat Ketchell gives the keynote address
Student trainees Zari Hosfield (far left) and Ivy Solomon (middle) are currently working alongside Restaurant Supervisor Dharminder Singh (far right) at the Lodge.
Meanwhile, Zari says the traineeship has proven to be very valuable in helping her gain work experience, which will be important when applying for future hospitality jobs. Since Zari and Ivy started, the Lodge has already taken on
four new trainees. Cape York Peninsula Lodge is an Indigenous-owned property owned and operated by Bamaga Enterprises Limited. Email recep�on@cypl.com.au if you’d be interested in joining the next round of traineeships.
Cape York Peninsula Lodge, Corner Lui and Adidi Streets, Bamaga QLD 4876 Phone: 4069 3050 • www.cypl.com.au
