Leading indigenous light promoted for Closing Gap work

A Ngarluma woman has been promoted to the rank of sergeant at the Pilbara Regiment in recognition of her dedication to the Federal Government’s Closing the Gap strategy. Maria Martin-Pedersen, born and raised in Broome in a family of 11 children, joined the Pilbara Regiment in 2017 and continued to work as a programs manager with Mawarnkarra Health Services in Roebourne. The promotion occurred last month and due to social distancing requirements, only Commanding Officer of the Pilbara Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Damien Geary and Officer Commanding 1 Squadron Major Paul Garrioch were present. Sgt Martin-Pedersen has advised numerous commanders in their relationships with indigenous elders and communities. She said her involvement with the Pilbara Regiment highlighted the valuable partnership that is possible with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people. “This has been demonstrated through the regiment’s participation in numerous activities that involved young people and the community, and I look forward to future opportunities to inform community about the possibilities of positive engagement,” she said. “It has been very rewarding to see the expressions on the kids’ faces when the regiment participates in community; the Pilbara Regiment potentially offers opportunities and alternatives for community.”