The military is preparing to celebrate National Reconciliation Week held annually between May 27 and June 3 and celebrates building respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and non-Indigenous Australians.
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The theme for NRW 2020 is 'In this together', which invites Australians from all backgrounds to contribute to a unified future.
Defence is proud of the contributions and achievements of past and present Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women in defending Australia's national interests, and participates in NRW annually.
Flight Lieutenant Patricia Thompson is Indigenous Liaison Officer at the Tindal RAAF Base, she is originally from Cunnamulla in Queensland.
"Reconciliation to me is about bringing together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non- Indigenous Australians as one," she said.
"I strongly believe it's a time for sharing our culture, forgiveness and, most of all, equality for all Australians.
"Reconciliation is also a time for healing and we can do this by having respectful, honest conversations to enable us to work together and restore what has been broken!
"Having valuable, important and respectful conversations can and will lead to all Australians, Indigenous and non- Indigenous, walking together and building meaningful friendships. Allowing all Australians the opportunity of a shared learning experience.
As Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody tell us 'from little things, big things grow'."
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