Facilitator from the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPS) and Biripi man Sergeant Daniel McDowell has been named the individual winner of the 2024 Air Force Indigenous Medallion.
Sergeant McDowell won the award for his demonstrated commitment to 'Our Place, Our Skies'; particularly for his efforts in closing the gap by increasing understanding of connections to people and places, history and culture, spirit and belonging.
The individual Indigenous award consists of an Air Force Maliyan medallion and an Air Commander silver commendation. Maliyan is the Wiradjuri Aboriginal word for eagle.
While presenting the award, Commanding Officer SPS Wing Commander Amanda Norris commended Sergeant McDowell for his outstanding dedication in promoting Indigenous culture and policy across Air Force.
Accepting the award, Sergeant McDowell said he was humbled to receive the medallion and commendation.
"When I sent the news of my award into the family chat, all my aunties and uncles were ecstatic. It was such a collective of excitement from my whole family," Sergeant McDowell said.
Through his role, Sergeant McDowell fosters conversations that enable a deeper understanding of the 'Our Place, Our Skies' and 'Common Ground' strategies, as well as the important role of the Indigenous liaison officer network across the Air Force.
He has been instrumental in leading Indigenous awareness and driving cultural change towards building an inclusive and culturally safe work environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can thrive. His contributions have supported the development of a unified generation of aviators.
"It has always been a goal of mine to have the opportunity to help create a culture throughout Defence, where everyone feels valued and diversity is embraced for the strengths and perspectives it brings to Defence," Sergeant McDowell said.
"SPS has been such an empowering and enriching posting with such a broad opportunity to reach people and develop human understanding within the organisation to enhance leadership and decision-making. I am truly humbled and feel so blessed for this recognition."
The medallion bears the Air Force crest, which features the Imperial Crown, a wedge-tailed eagle and Per Ardua Ad Astra. The reverse side of the medallion features a Maliyan design created by Group Captain Lisa Pulver.
Sergeant McDowell was also presented a handmade boomerang by Robert Syron, a fellow Biripi man and husband of SPS member Flight Sergeant Samantha Syron.
During the presentation, Mr Syron explained that the boomerang, or Barragan, was made from the red wattle tree, a hardwood from Wiradjuri country - which the Wagga detachment of SPS is on.
"This tree is significant to our people because when the red wattle flowers fall, it is the sign to stop hunting the freshwater long-neck turtles. We are saltwater people," Mr Syron said.
