Kaibariki Milianga Doolah Tapera
Marrgu/Iwaidja man
Able Seaman Boatswain’s Mate
Royal Australian Navy

Medals and Awards
Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection
Australian Defence Medal
Personal Qualities award (PQ – Recruit school)

 

I enlisted on 10th August 2017 through DIDP-N8 (Defence Indigenous Development Program) and I am honoured to serve within the Royal Australian Navy and more broadly the Australian Defence Force. Mum gave birth to me in Darwin at the Royal Darwin Hospital, my grandparents (her parents) adopted me at birth and raised me on Minjilang Community, Crocker Island. I was traditionally adopted (Aboriginal ways) by Traditional Land Owner Joy Malwagag Williams – whom I call mother, a Marrgu/Iwaidja women. I am also privileged to have another adopted mother Donna Odegaard who is an Aboriginal (Larrakia) and Torres Strait Islander woman. My roots extend out to the South West Pacific, Solomon Islands and Kiribati.

Navy has always been my passion since Middle/High school days. As a youth, I participated in Australian Navy Cadets, and I did that for 6 years, so it gave me a lot of exposure to Ships, Patrol Boats and Shore Establishments. On top of that, I also took part in a lot community engagements and work experiences with Defence Navy. As an Islander and growing up on Community surrounded by the sea, the Royal Australian Navy was the best fit for me.

From 2017-2024, I was a Boatswain’s Mate and I posted to Perth and later on Darwin with Sea and Shore postings until my Category changeover. Between the periods of 8th April 2024 – 11th July 2024 I was undergoing my Maritime Logistics Supply Chain course (IET – Initial Employment Training) at HMAS Cerberus with Training Authority – Maritime Logistics and Health (TA-MLH). I look forward to an exciting career ahead as a Maritime Logistics Supply Chain Sailor and Aspire to become a Naval Officer with the RAN.

As a Marrgu/Iwaidja man I wish to see more of my First Nations Australians enlist, don the uniform and serve their nation Australia and represent their Country, People and Flag. As a man of South Sea Islander descent I wish to see more of my Solomon and Kiribati people fill the ranks of the Royal Australian Navy in the future to come and represent their Country, People and Flag. As an individual born here in Australia, it will be really good to see more people don the uniform and fill the ranks – regardless of Service, Race and Background.

Together we unite as one – Service members of the RAN-ADF.