Beaver Lennon

with veteran John Anthony Parmenter

My painting for Tony Parmenter, an Aboriginal Vietnam veteran, has used the MC Esher concept from Rind (1955). In the centre is a male Indigenous veteran's face in the Rind concept; at the top the Gawler Ranges landscape fills a ribbon from the Australian Army badge and the bottom has symbols from Country.

I was also inspired by my grandmother telling me stories about her father helping to defend against the Japanese who were bombing Darwin in late 1942, the largest single attack on Australia, ever.

My message about honouring the heroes of Vietnam, and Tony in particular, is that the returning of the Indigenous and non-Indigenous Vietnam veterans was important and they didn't get recognised.

Tony Parmenter has a family connection near Ceduna. He was a part of Wirangu family and his mother was born at Davenport Beach and grew up at Koonibba. I am also from around those places. I included my signature style of the Gawler Rangers landscape to share his family's land, culture and language.

I feel proud to be a part of VIETNAM - ONE IN, ALL IN, and privileged to share and honour Tony's service and story.

Beaver Lennon

Mirning/Antikirinjara peoples

Lance Corporal John Anthony 'Tony' Parmenter

Kokotha/Wirangu peoples

Royal Australian Engineers - 1st Field Squadron

John Parmenter joined the Army in July 1966, serving in the Royal Australian Engineers. He served in Vietnam with the 1st Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers from 26 September to 15 October 1967. After returning to Australia, he discharged from the Army in July 1969.