Retired Leading Steward Pamela Tapim
Artist
Belinda Mason
Artist
Dieter Knierim
Date2016
Object number00055210
NamePhotograph
MediumBlack and White Durotran 3D photographs face-mounted on perspex lenticular lens, in perspex LED light box frame
DimensionsOverall: 973 × 670 × 40 mm
Image: 915 × 575 mm
Image: 915 × 575 mm
Copyright© 'Serving Country' portrait series by Belinda Mason and Dieter Knierim
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
Collections
DescriptionA 3D, black and white photograph of Retired Leading Steward Pamela Tapim by Belinda Mason and Dieter Knierim for the 'Serving Country' exhibition.
Pamela Tapim is from Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. She joined the WRAN in 1970 and served for 13 years, 12 of those based at HMAS ALBATROSS in Nowra.
Of her time in the WRAN Tapim says:
"My years with the WRANS was an eye opener, meeting different people and challenges every day. I learnt respect and gave respect in our jobs. In my time in the navy, WRANS weren't allowed on ships. In the Navy today, the WRANS take their place on the ships, get to see different places and have more job opportunities. Most of all, they work alongside as one with Officers and Sailors."
HistoryFor more than a century Australian men and women have served in the Defence Force to protect Australia in wars, conflicts and peace keeping operations. Stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service in the countries defence is still somewhat untold.
Despite the fact the fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were not counted and recognised as Australians until 1967, they still enlisted to fight for their country in wars since the Boer War.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers, sailors and airmen have made significant contributions to Australia's military history from the Boer War, World War I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and post 1972 conflicts and peacekeeping operations to the present day, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders proudly served their country.
Like their male counterparts, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have also made a significant contribution to the defence of the nation through their service with the armed forces, civilian organisations such as the Women's Land Army or worked in war time industries.
It is difficult to say just how many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people served because ethnic background was not specially identified in service records of enlistment. It is known that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women served and continue to serve their country with great honour and pride in a range of operations in war, humanitarian disaster relief, peacekeeping, border protection and emergency defence assistance.
SignificanceThe photographs by Belinda Mason were supported by Department of Veteran Affairs and City of Sydney for the Serving Country Exhibition which continues to be an ongoing project of documentation of an archive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women.
The photographs serve to acknowledge and recognise the valuable contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women who have served or who are serving in the Australian Defence Force.
