Cameron Green

When Cameron Green was growing up in Hobart, Tasmania, he never dreamt that one day he would be working on high-tech helicopters in the Royal Australian Navy or taking part in ceremonies at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

“I joined up and didn’t know anything about it,” Cameron said. “The Navy’s taught me everything.”

Cameron joined the Navy in 2009 and became an aircraft mechanic, working on the MRH-90 multi-role helicopter.

“When I finished high school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and my dad suggested that I should look at joining the armed forces, so I went along to a local career centre,” Cameron said.

“It was just something that interested me and I really enjoyed it. I worked on larger ships providing humanitarian aid to some of our regional partners, like Fiji, and it was great to be a part of something that was helping our neighbours. It doesn’t matter where you go, the Navy’s a big part of Australia, and I think Australia is pretty proud of it.”

Cameron is now a member of Australia’s Federation Guard, the Australian Defence Force’s official tri-service ceremonial unit. It includes members from the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force and represents Australia in various ceremonial roles both at home and abroad, including at various ceremonies at the Memorial.

“The first time performing at the Memorial was pretty daunting,” Cameron said. “I was really nervous, but once you’ve done it a few times, you feel pretty proud. Being involved in the Last Post Ceremonies is pretty special; as they read out the names of the people and the stories of what they have done and what they have been involved in, it’s quite a moving ceremony. It’s really memorable, and to be involved in it is really good; it’s something that I’m really proud to be a part of.”

For Cameron, the Memorial itself is particularly special.

“I think the War Memorial does a fantastic job,” he said. “It’s important that we remember our history, and being here with the Federation Guard, I’ve seen first-hand the work the War Memorial does. It’s a place that all Australians should visit, and it’s just a great asset in this city, and this country.”

As an Able Seaman in the Navy, he believes it is important the Memorial can share the stories of modern veterans and their families.

“I think it’s really important that we tell the story of every conflict,” he said. “The emphasis is, of course, on the First and Second World Wars, but there are a lot of other conflicts that Australians have been involved in, and a lot of different work that people have done in different nations, so I support any money going to the Memorial to help it tell those stories.

“I think it’s sensational what they do.”