Marion Scrymgour (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I take the opportunity today to reflect on the crash of the US Marine Corps B-22 Osprey aircraft that took place at Melville Island on 27 August last year, killing three United States marines and injuring 20 others. There were more than 2,500 troops from the United States, Australia, Philippines, Timor-Leste and Indonesia participating at the time in an exercise on the Tiwi Islands as part of Predators Run 2023. To mark the anniversary of this accident, three traditional ceremonies were conducted in Darwin and on the Tiwi Islands, hosted by the Tiwi Islands' Mantiyupwi clan in collaboration with the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation.

On 24 September, a spiritual walk including smoking ceremonies took place at several locations, including Robertson Barracks, Defence Establishment Berrima, the Royal Australian Air Force Darwin base and the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct. This was followed by a healing ceremony on 26 September on Larrakia country at Cullen Bay.

On 27 September, US marines, all the families of the fallen and the Australian Defence Force members travelled to the crash site at Pickertaramoor, Melville Island, for a historic pukumani ceremony. The pukumani ceremony marked the end of a one-year-and-one-month mourning period. This private event is steeped in Tiwi culture and tradition to honour the deceased and help guide their spirits to the afterlife. These events honoured the lives of those marines who were tragically lost on this fateful day in 2023, with traditional Tiwi rituals intended to help guide their spirits on the next journey. The Tiwi people, in keeping with their traditions, referred to the fallen marine as having gone to sleep, honouring 'Big Brother', which was Major Tobin Lewis; 'Little Sister', Captain Eleanor LeBeau; and 'Little Brother', Corporal Spencer Collart, through three traditional ceremonies symbolising the deep bond between the Tiwi people and the US Marine Corps.

I join with the Minister for Indigenous Australians, who spoke at the pukumani ceremony, in extending my heartfelt condolences to the families of those marines and the entire military community who have been impacted by this terribly sad incident. I also express my gratitude to the Tiwi first responders, including the Tiwi Rangers, who were amongst the first to offer help 12 months ago. I echo the sentiments of Mantiyupwi traditional owner Jennifer Ullungura Clancy in acknowledging the responsibility that Tiwi people felt and to make sure the families and the visitors were safe and looked after while on country. As Jennifer reminds us, following this tragic event that took place on Mantiyupwi land in August last year, the US Marines and the Defence Force are now part of our Tiwi family. The pukumani ceremony was an opportunity for grieving families and friends, Tiwi brothers and sisters, to heal and move forward with their lives. For Tiwi elders, the three US marines that passed away in the crash will always be a part of us and will never be forgotten. The sad events that happened on Tiwi country have connected the families as forever part of our Tiwi culture and history. The healing and the pukumani rituals have marked the final chapter in the journey of Big Brother, Little Sister and Little Brother. May their spirits rest in peace.