Musician Grant Rowsell has brought Indigenous culture to the Royal Australian Navy Band after becoming the first person to join as a yidaki (didgeridoo) player.
Seaman Roswell recently returned from New York, where he performed with two other yidaki players in a fusion with a handpicked Navy rock band.
The trip saw him become the first of three First Nations members to represent the Royal Australian Navy on the global stage in the United States.
"I am deeply honoured to be working with and alongside such well-rounded and beautiful musicians," Seaman Rowsell said.
"I want to ensure this unique cultural tradition continues to grow within the RAN Band for generations to come."
Seaman Roswell's musical journey began when he was eight years old after his father gifted him a yidaki and encouraged him to express himself through music.
During his former years he had a close relationship with his father, who always supported him.
"Dad showed me the power of self-reliance and respect for culture, as well as the wonder for other cultures and what they have to offer through different eyes," Seaman Rowsell said.
He grew up by Sydney's southern beaches where he spent time diving, fishing and rock climbing, and playing the yidaki while working various jobs.
Seaman Rowsell joined the Royal Australian Navy in August 2024 after representing Australia at an Australian Embassy gala event in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he performed with a jazz trio at the embassy gala event.
"The experience inspired me to combine my passion for music with service," he said.
"I was lucky enough to perform at the Outback Centre in Sydney, where I learnt styles from Far North Queensland and East Arnhem Land, while developing my own contemporary approach."
As a member of Royal Australian Navy Band Western Australia, Seaman Rowsell's role involves Indigenous cultural performance in naval ceremonies and with the rock band.
Some of Seaman Rowsell's proudest Navy moments so far include performing for the commissioning of the new offshore patrol vessels HMA Ships Arafura and Eyre, and participating in this year's Anzac Day ceremony at Fremantle's Monument Hill.
"Being involved in smoking ceremonies and seeing the men and women who will be protecting us were particularly special experiences," he said.
"But what I enjoy most is representing both Navy and Indigenous Australia through music."
Through the Navy Seaman Rowsell has represented Australia, shared Indigenous culture internationally and performed at significant events.
"I continue to develop as a musician by collaborating with talented musicians across different genres and cultures," he said.
"I look forward to continuing to strengthen the connection between Defence, culture and community throughout my career."
Seaman Rowsell is also passionate about seeing the yidaki (the Yolŋu name of the didgeridoo) become a more recognised and respected instrument within contemporary military and ceremonial music.
"I want to demonstrate the yidaki's versatility beyond traditional settings, while honouring its cultural significance," he said.
He hopes to help establish a structured proficiency and mentoring program within the Royal Australian Navy Band.
"I feel I have a duty to enable future Indigenous cultural performer members entering Defence to learn, develop and carry forward the knowledge and performance of the yidaki," he said.
"I want to ensure this unique cultural tradition continues to grow within the RAN Band for generations to come."
