Geoff Shaw

Geoff Shaw (born c. 1945) is an Aboriginal ex-serviceman from Central Australia and an Aboriginal leader in Alice Springs who has been involved in many Aboriginal organisations.

Early life

Shaw was born in Alice Springs, in the Todd River, and he is of Arrernte and Kaytetye descent. He said he didn't get much of an education and worked on cattle stations, riding horses and branding cows, before joining the Army at 18.

Vietnam War Service

Shaw joined the Australian Army in 1964 and he served in the Indonesian-Malaysia confrontation where he spent 18 months with the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment; stationed just north of Malacca.

Because he was a regular in the Army he was then sent back home to join the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment when Australia became involved in the Vietnam War. In between these two deployments he was given just one week's leave to visit Alice Springs to see his family before travelling to Vietnam on HMAS Sydney. One day, when on patrol in Vietnam, Shaw cut his thumb through to the bone on his machete and was sent back to Australia for, what was ultimately, three operations and multiple skin grafts. Following this injury, and the 6 months spent to recover, Shaw was transferred to the 9th Battalion where he became Section Commander (Corporal) and, later, Acting Platoon Sergeant (Sergeant). Shaw was also the first ATSIC Commissioner for Central Australia.

Becoming involved in community organisations has saved Shaw, who has struggled with PTSD since his war service.

Shaw has also been vocal in his opposition to the 2007 Northern Territory National Emergency Response; more commonly called 'The Intervention'.