Sandra Saunders

with veteran Gilbert George Green

Two pieces make up the artwork and together represent Gil Green's story. The first shows the journey of Gil who went to Vietnam. It shows him travelling from his hometown in New South Wales down to Sydney where he was taken from his mother by the Aboriginal Protection Board and sent to a boy's home. He was later returned to his mother and went to school in Blacktown in Sydney. After finishing school, he joined the Army and went to Vietnam on the I-IMAS Sydney. When I met Gil, he told me his father, grandfather and uncles were all in previous wars.

Although they told Gil he didn't have to go because he was Aboriginal, he asked the question: "Is that white fella's blood red? And is he going?" The officer said "Yes". Gil said, "Well, my blood is red too so I am going". He particularly emphasised Agent Orange, helicopters and the tent they lived in, which is why I have captured them in the artwork.

Gil told me he kept diaries while in Vietnam. The second piece is an installation that represents his stories and the wooden cross reflects the number of Australians killed and wounded during the Vietnam War.

This is an important part of Australian history. It was very controversial as many people didn't want Australia to participate in the Vietnam War and were particularly against conscription. When they returned, Vietnam veterans were not recognised and many of them were sick from Agent Orange and the trauma of being in the war. This is such a sad and tragic event in Australian history.

Sandra Saunders

Ngarrindjeri people

Private Gilbert George Green

Bundjalung/Wadi Wadi peoples

Royal Australian Infantry Corps - 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR)

Gil Green, born on 9 October 1949, was a volunteer National Serviceman who served in Vietnam on the second tour of the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. He served two tours in Vietnam between 16 February and 17 December 1970, during which time his unit participated in Operation Concrete during April and May, and Operation Cung Chung in conjunction with South Vietnamese forces over the remainder of the year.