RAAF Base Townsville open yarning circle for ADF defence personnel
Wulgurukaba elders held a smoking ceremony and blessed the site of a new yarning circle at RAAF Base Townsville this week. See the photos.
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Wulgurukaba elders held a smoking ceremony and blessed the site of a new yarning circle at RAAF Base Townsville this week.
Wing Commander Naomi Gill said the yarning circle was a safe space where Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of the Australian Defence Force and wider defence industry could meet and hold ceremonies and discussions.
“It’s a safe space to spend some time together and actually reflect, learn, grow and talk about issues and a safe space that they can enjoy within the community of RAAF Base Townsville.”
She said they selected the best place for the yarning circle on base.
“We found this place here, which has actually got a natural circle of trees, then we’ve used materials from the base to actually make it a really respectful place,” she said.
“So we’ve got our mahogany tree that had to be cut down that we have used as seats and we’ve got rocks from Wulgurukaba land and then we’ve got native Townsville plants around the space to make it really, really natural and special for Townsville.”
The senior officer for the ADF base said the space was open to all personnel to use.
“We’ve got over 1200 people here, but then we also have a lot of people that come for exercises that we’ve got a lot going on at the moment, and they’re all welcome,” she said.
“It’s a space that they can come as ones and twos or they can come as a big group and actually sit down and experience and reflect and enjoy the safe space.”
Wing Commander Gill said it was an important addition to the base.
“There’s lots happening in the world at the moment but I think it’s important that as you grow as teams, you’ve got a space that you can get together and actually sit down and communicate and talk about issues.”
Corporal Shay Butler, the base’s Indigenous Liaison Officer, said opening the circle had been a community and team effort.
“We’ve sourced materials from Wulgurukaba land to ensure that it’s staying traditional and it’s culturally safe and appropriate,” she said.
“The entire team has come together to make a site that we can be proud of and a site that can be used for education, yarning, for telling stories, whether it’s for work or for social, whatever it may be.”
Corporal Butler said she got chills when she first visited the proposed site.
“The breeze comes through this yarning circle, the trees are in a perfect circle – it just felt right.”
She said it was vital for ADF bases across Australia to have yarning circles.
“It’s Defence giving back and recognizing the importance of the yarning circle and cultures and traditions so that we can ensure that we’re a better defence force because we can see what’s successful in the past and we can continue it on.”
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Originally published as RAAF Base Townsville open yarning circle for ADF defence personnel
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