Damien Miller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Damien Miller
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Damien Miller
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Damien Patrick Miller
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| Nationality | Australian |
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| Occupation | Diplomat |
| Title | Australian Ambassador to Denmark, Iceland and Norway |
| Term | May 2013 – April 2017 |
| Predecessor | James Choi |
| Successor | MaryEllen Miller |
| Partner(s) | Neill Seeto |
Damien Patrick Miller is an Australian diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. Damien Miller made history as the first Indigenous Australian to lead an Australian diplomatic mission overseas. This means he was the first Aboriginal person to be an ambassador for Australia.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Growing Up and Heritage
Damien Miller belongs to the Gangulu people. This Aboriginal group comes from the area around Mount Morgan, near Rockhampton in Central Queensland. His family has strong connections to their traditional lands.
Damien's grandmother and other family members moved from the outskirts into Rockhampton. Later, some moved to Brisbane. Damien grew up in Brisbane, but he always kept strong ties to his people's traditional country.
School and University
In 1993, Damien Miller was named Aboriginal Scholar of the Year. This award came from the national NAIDOC committee. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
He went to the University of New South Wales. In 1998, he earned two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws. He also studied at Monash University, where he received a Diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Career as a Diplomat
Starting His Journey
While studying law, Damien Miller worked at a law firm in Sydney. In 1995, he joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). DFAT is the part of the Australian government that handles relationships with other countries. He started as an Indigenous Cadet, working part-time during his summer breaks.
After finishing university in 1999, Miller began working full-time at DFAT. This was the start of his career as a diplomat.
Working Overseas and in Australia
His first overseas job was at the High Commission of Australia to Malaysia. He worked there from 2000 to 2003. A High Commission is like an embassy, but for countries within the Commonwealth.
After returning to Australia, Miller worked in different roles at DFAT. From 2003 to 2006, he was a desk officer in the South-East Asia Division. Then, from 2007 to 2009, he was the Director of DFAT Corporate Planning. In 2009, he became the Director of DFAT's Afghanistan Section.
In 2010, Miller moved to Germany. He was appointed as Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Australia to Germany. He worked there under Ambassador Peter Tesch.
Becoming an Ambassador
On April 1, 2013, the Australian Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, announced Damien Miller's new role. Miller was appointed as the new Ambassador of Australia to Denmark. He would also represent Australia in Iceland and Norway. He took over from James Choi.
This appointment was very important. Damien Miller became the first Indigenous Australian to lead an Australian diplomatic mission. He started his new role in May 2013.
He officially presented his credentials to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark on June 14, 2013. Later, he met Norwegian King Harald V on October 17, 2013. He also presented his credentials to Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson on December 7, 2013.
Miller shared that it was a "great honour" for him, his family, and for all Indigenous Australians. He noted that DFAT employed many Indigenous staff, with some working at Australian diplomatic missions worldwide.
