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From a whisper to a bang - episode five credits

Defending Country

From a whisper to a bang - episode five credits

Reg Saunders, An Indigenous War Hero

Reg Saunders, An Indigenous War Hero

Episode 05, ‘Defending Country’, released May 27 and for National Reconciliation Week 2019, duration: 58:24.

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that the following program (and associated material) contains the names of, references to, voices and images of people who have since passed away.

‘From A Whisper To A Bang!’ is written, produced and presented by Megan Spencer for the Australian War Memorial.

--
Speakers:

  • Squadron Leader Gary Oakley (Gundungurra)  
  • Aunty Glenda Humes (Gunditjmara/Jawoyn)  
  • Dr. Adrian Threlfall
  • Michael Bell (Ngunnawal/Gomeroi)  

Voices:

  • General Angus Campbell AO
  • Richard Cruise
  • Dr. Jackie Huggins AM (Bidjara/Birri-Gubba Juru)
  • Captain Reginald Saunders MBE (Gunditjmara)
  • Dr. Peter Read
  • Dr. Brendan Nelson AO

Actor:

  • Heath Bigg

Music:

  • Xylouris White

Additional didgeridoo/yidaki music:

  • Wing Commander Jonathan Lilley (Worimi) 
  • Leading Aircraftsman Brodie McIntyre (Warlpiri)

And music from the ‘From our Country’ memorial dedication, recorded by Stephen Toaldo and performed by:

  • Wing Commander Jonathan Lilley (didgeridoo/yidaki) 
  • Bungaree Indigenous Performance Group of the Royal Australian Navy
  • Charlie Company Sarpeye Dancers from the 51st Btn., FNQ Regiment, from Torres Strait
  • Band of the Royal Military College (Duntroon), and Brass Quintet feat. singer Liz Cherry. Audio recording copyright Department of Defence.

Special permission was given to perform the ‘Advance Australia Fair’ national by the AWM’s Indigenous Liaison Officer, Michael Bell, along with the For Our Country (memorial) working group. The Ngunnawal transcript of the anthem was provided by Tyronne Bell and Doug Marmion through the AWM. Tyronne and Doug translated the anthem into Ngunnawal language in 2017 and it was performed at Parliament House that same year. 

Additional sound: 

  • Jeremy Conlon

Mastering:

  • Kris Keogh

AWM Collection: 

  • Film: Sons of the Anzac (1939-1943). Accession Number: F00188
  • Sound: Captain Reginald Saunders and Dr. Peter Read. Accession Number S00520 Listen to the full interview here
  • Sound: Brodie McIntyre playing didgeridoo/yidaki. Accession numbers: AWM2016.437.2 and AWM2016.437.3. 
  • Listen to the recordings made at: the Aboriginal Plaque on Mt. Ainslie and at The Last Post ceremony NAIDOC Week 2016  

Acknowledgements: 

  • Office of Strategic Services Audio, Courtesy: National Archives and Records Administration.

Special thanks:

  • Daniel Browning (Bundjalung/Kullilli ) from Awaye! , Corporal Garth O’Connell (Gomeroi) and Michael Bell for cultural advice and support.

Thank you:

  • To the ‘For our Country’ speakers and performers, and representatives: WC Jonathan Lilley, Lieutenant Commander Bertram Slape (Larrakia), Dr. Jackie Huggins, Major Thomas Dobbs, Major Darren Cole, Chaplain Maumau Monu, SL Gary Oakley, Erika Watson and Bindi Cooper; Amanda Jane Reynolds (Karingai) and Lisa Pellegrino; Aunty Glenda Humes and the Saunders family; Melbourne Museum and Kate McCabe; Amanda Dennett, Andy Heaney, the DEX team and staff at the Australian War Memorial; Jemahl Casper (Goreng Goreng); Gavin Malone; the Spencer family.

Read:

  • Serving Our Country
  • Our Mob Served
  • Reg Saunders, An Indigenous War Hero
  • Aboriginal Presence on Gallipoli  by Michael Bell 
  • Captured in paint by Garth O’Connell

Visit:

  • Eumeralla: a war requiem for peace
  • For Country For Nation touring exhibition

View:

  • The ‘For our Country’ memorial dedication photo album

Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian War Memorial.

Last updated: 17 March 2021

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