Defending Country

Description

Few Australian realise the extent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the military. Many enlisted before they had the right to vote, to drink alcohol or even to receive equal wages. Defending Country is the first book to document the unique experiences of Indigenous Australian men and women since the Second World War. Using compelling personal narratives and rigorous archival research, it explores how military service impacted the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruits. It also reveals how their involvement in Australia's defence contributed to the advancement of Indigenous rights. Historians Noah Riseman and Richard Trembath examine what motivated Indigenous people to sign up, their experiences of racism in the armed forces, the challenges in returning to civilian life and the role of the Australian Defence Force in promoting Reconciliation. Defending Country is an important addition to Australia's military history studies and offers a fascinating insight into little-known wartime experiences. 'First World War, Second World War, Vietnam, Korea - Indigenous soldiers were there, and it's good because we're defending our country, which has always been our country.' Private James Wood, North-West Mobile Force

Author description

Dr Noah Riseman is a Senior Lecturer in History at Australian Catholic University. He specialises in the history of marginalized groups in the Australian Defence Force, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. His first book, "Defending Whose Country? Indigenous Soldiers in the Pacific War"was shortlisted for the 2013 Chief Minister s Northern Territory History Award. His PhD was also the recipient of the 2009 CEW Bean Prize for Military History. Dr Richard Trembath is a historian currently teaching at the University of Melbourne. With Donna Hellier he wrote "All Care and Responsibility: A History of Nursing in Victoria." In 2005 he published "A Different Sort of War: Australians in Korea 1950 53." Then, in conjunction with Colin Holden, he published "Divine Discontent The Brotherhood of St Laurence: A History," which appeared in 2008. "Witnesses to War: The History of Australian Conflict Reporting," written in collaboration with Fay Anderson, was published in 2011 and was listed for a Walkley Award."