After five months of construction works, skill sharing and community engagement, the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP) has wrapped up in the red centre of Australia.
In late August, the First Nations community of Amata, South Australia, farewelled the 100-member AACAP contingent at a closing ceremony held at the local basketball court.
Amata community leader Rueben Burton said they were very thankful for the work performed by the Army.
As the caterers from 9th Force Support Battalion served a barbecue lunch to community members, soldiers from the Australian Army Band, Sydney, entertained the crowd from the bed of a medium-cargo trailer parked alongside the community’s basketball court.
When the band stepped off the makeshift stage to take a short break, Mr Burton’s cousin, Simon Burton, borrowed the band’s guitar and continued the entertainment with a solo performance before the formal farewells commenced.
Standing alongside the Officer Commanding AACAP 2024 Major Lincoln Babare, Rueben Burton thanked the soldiers and officers on behalf of the Amata community for their work.
“It’s been a pleasure working and making connections with Army as Army has done the big jobs in the community, not only doing the trades and the buildings but making connections with the kids, making relationships with families and footy and learning lots,” Mr Burton said.
“On behalf of the Amata community and the council I just want to say thanks to the Army for coming and building, doing lots of work that we don’t do.
“It’s been really good, Army supporting Anangu people. Thank you.”
‘Thank you for sharing your country, your stories, your culture and your language with us while hosting us in this beautiful part of Australia.’
Major Babare thanked the Amata community for sharing their country and culture over the past five months.
The contingent delivered a series of community-driven infrastructure projects, including a 960m swale (surface drain) to enhance the community’s flood resilience and revitalisation of the community church.
Vocational training initiatives to support employment pathways and wellbeing and lifestyle initiatives were also delivered as part of the program, while the main construction task, the dedicated service provider accommodation, is on track for completion in September.
“Over the past five months we’ve been working hard to achieve the outcomes that we agreed with the Amata community council and we’re almost done,” Major Babare said.
“We’re here this afternoon to say farewell, although a few of us will be staying behind to make sure the main construction project is ready to be handed back over to you.
“Thank you for sharing your country, your stories, your culture and your language with us while hosting us in this beautiful part of Australia. We hope you remember us for the construction work we’ve delivered, the relationships we’ve built and the skills we’ve shared.”
It won’t be the last the Amata community sees of Army as two members of the community are part-time soldiers posted to the North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) Centre Squadron.
Anangu man Private Kamurin Young inspired his cousin Private Luke Kennedy to join NORFORCE in 2021, and since AACAP 2024 commenced, six members of the Amata community have submitted applications to join NORFORCE.
“My boy is one of them,” Mr Burton said, beaming with pride.
“He’ll be like Kamurin and Luke.
“He should be good.”
