My Dad, Augustine David by Bella David

My Dad, Augustine David

Bella David | Year 7

My father, Augustine (Gus) David, is a man of many talents. He completed Year 12 at Kirwan State High School before serving six years in the Australian Army. He is currently an ultra-class haul truck operator and trainer at Callide Mine, where he also holds the responsibility of being a captain of the emergency response team. On his days off, he is an on-call auxiliary firefighter for the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. Gus is a proud Torres Strait Islander man, who currently resides in Biloela, Central Queensland. I asked Gus some questions about himself and his childhood to gain some knowledge and understanding for myself and others and to provide some insight into First Nations people in Australia.

Q. How were you involved in your culture growing up?

A. Culture was all around me from an early age. I learnt to speak broken English (a mix of Creole and English) from my grandparents and father. My grandfather, William David, was an amazing dancer who taught us traditional song and dance. The women in my family cooked and taught us about customary foods. Traditional underground cooking, Kup Murri, was learnt from the men during celebratory events.

Q. How did you pass your knowledge of culture to your children?

A. Teaching them dance from shared family videos, sharing stories, through song, organising to meet with family, and getting involved in cultural events.

Q. What did you want to be when you were younger?

A. A marine biologist as I’ve always had a connection to the ocean.

Q. Do you think being an Indigenous person changed your future compared to that of other Australians?

A. I think being Indigenous had the potential to put me in a position where I was behind other people due to the expectations of people of colour. If you don’t see it’s a disadvantage, you probably won’t ever feel it until it’s pushed upon you.

Q. What was it like growing up with parents of mixed race?

A. I guess on the family side, I didn’t feel a difference between white and black. For my mother, who is of Dutch heritage, it was tough as she always believed there was prejudice against her kids because of their skin colour. Once my parents separated and I was living with mum, it was quite funny to introduce people to my blonde, white mother. This was shocking to people at times. I love that I have strong heritage lines via both parents.

Q. Have you experienced racism in Australia?

A. Obviously and sadly, yes, there have been multiple times in my life where racism has popped up, starting at a young age on my football team. But the biggest standout was when I was about 13 and I was in a shop looking at buying a skateboard. I had been there a couple days in a row, cautious as to whether I was wasting my money buying the board. I was approached by the manager, who told me to leave the store, because clearly, in his mind, I wasn’t going to buy anything and was going to steal. I couldn’t understand this as I was well presented and courteous. My mother told me it was more than likely because of the colour of my skin.

Q. Do you think it is ever ok to ask someone how Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander they are?

A. Only to gain an understanding of them and their connections and not for the purpose of belittling someone or because they don’t look the part. Perhaps we can teach each other.

Q. Do you think racism still exists in our country and why?

A.Yes, I think it does, and not just towards Indigenous people. Australia is a very multicultural society, and I believe there is ignorance in understanding the plight of others and their stories. Human beings assume to know people and the perceived shortcomings of their heritage.

Q. What do you think Australia needs to do as a nation to better understand Indigenous peoples?

A. I believe the history of our Indigenous peoples has to be recognised constitutionally, especially the warfare that took place during the settlement of our country, not to lay blame but for a better understanding. Teaching of events will enable Australia to have a true and meaningful history surrounding its First Nations people and its birth as a nation.

Q. Do you believe Australia Day should be moved to a different day to help with the mourning related to that date?

A. I do not believe it should be changed, but I believe that with the full history told, people can celebrate, mourn, and move forward together.