Janey Deakin
Thaayorre Clan group:Kuuk Yuk (snake Language)
Ewamian Georgetown & Pormpuraaw.
Private
Bravo Company
51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment
Regional Force Surveillance Group
Australian Army Reserve
Medals and Awards
Australian Defence Medal
Army Individual Readiness Notification Badge
2/93 Patrol Course Most Improved
1996 Teamwork Award
2001 RFSU Combat First Aid
11 Dec 2001 Recognition of good performance
I would like to acknowledge the past, present and emerging soldiers. Especially my best friend and big brother Sgt Noel Chillagoe. Noel was an inspiration to all, he encouraged fellow mates and not to give up. He will always be remembered.
I’m a traditional owner of Pormpuraaw and Georgetown and after growing up in Cairns with my siblings, with my mum and step-father I returned home to Pormpuraaw. Here, as per our cultural protocols, women were never allowed to do men’s roles such as driving trucks and operating machinery. But I have had the opportunity to have many roles. I have driven trucks and operated heavy machinery. I’ve been a Community Police Officer, Sports and Recreation Officer at the Council, Health Worker Queensland Health, Housing Officer Council, Post Officer Manager, Centrelink Officer, Administration Officer at the Women’s shelter Pormpur Paamthu Aboriginal Corporation, Community Ranger Council, Community Enterprise Queensland Assistant Manager Store, and presently a Duty Manager at the local Pormpuraaw United Brothers Sports Club.
Joining the Army Reserves in 1992 was a true challenge, and I made a lot of friends whilst I served in 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment. Kids and teenagers are always curious and asking questions about when I served in the Army, especially my son and grandchildren. I’m always happy to speak to them about Army life and I always encourage them to join.
I have a proud memory to share with you, when the Bravo Charlie Alpha Delta Companies of 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, participated in training exercises at Townsville. Part of the exercise included target shooting and everyone had their turn on the Shooting Range. But I didn’t realise that it was for points – and it was seriously competitive. Once everyone had had their turn, we waited to see who would get the highest score and who was going to end up in the final round. My Sergeant came over to me and said that there were only two of us left in the competition, and I was one of them. I was shocked, I didn’t expect to be the person representing Bravo Company. But I took up challenge. The other soldier was from Alpha Company. I missed by 1 point that day, but I received my Crossed Rifle Badge. This shows that, as a female, you can achieve anything once you put your mind to it.
Another proud moment happened just after Private Komondi and I landed in Weipa after we had completed our Medics Training. We jumped in our vehicles, and to our amazement, driving to the exit of the airport, we found ourselves confronted with an accident scene with a car flipped onto its side and people inside. Fresh out of Medic Training we had to instantly put our training into practice. We helped the victims until the ambulance came, making a big difference to outcomes for those civilians that day. We were recognised by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel A.W.Gunder, for what we had done that day and were awarded a Certificate of Recognition for the vital assistance we had provided.
I made a lot of friends in the Service, I miss them and hopefully I’ll get to see them again.