Our People in QLD
Cairns Men Protecting Australia – Matthew Nish And Gordon Adams
Keeping Navy Patrol Boats afloat to protect Australia’s maritime borders from people smugglers and illegal foreign fishing vessels is what keeps Cairns men Matthew Nish and Gordon “Grizz” Adams busy on the high seas every day.
Having joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2006 both men have attained the rank of Able Seaman and, although Grizz’s main role onboard is to keep the ship’s electrical system running while Matt keeps the engines turning over, both are also voluntary members of the Boarding Team which investigates suspect vessels as part of Operation RESOLUTE.
“I love the variety of my job,” Matt said, “and it makes me proud to think that I get to do something as important as protecting Australia’s interests.”
Never having met before joining the Attack Five crew, which is currently embarked on HMAS Armidale, Grizz and Matt’s Cairns bond made them instant mates. “…especially at State of Origin time!” Grizz said.
Matt, who is now 22 years old, graduated from boarding school at Saint Augustines in 2004 and spent the year working as a labourer for Paramount Hire before enlisting in the senior Service. Although the lure of travel, money and mates were important factors, Matt admits his decision to join was connected to his father’s marine background.
“My dad is the Captain and Engineer for one of the private yachts owned by the Crown Prince of Dubai,” Matt said, “I guess that had some influence on my choice.”
In contrast Grizz, who is now 24 years old, graduated Cairns Christian College in 2001 and worked as a manager at McDonalds on The Esplanade for a couple of years prior to becoming a retail assistant at SkyRail. He then moved to Western Australia in 2003 with his wife Sarah before finally taking the plunge to join up.
“Once I joined it took me two and a half years to get to work on Patrol Boats,” Grizz said, “But it was worth it because every day brings something new!”
Though both Matt and Grizz now call Darwin home, both men return to Cairns regularly to catch up with family and friends.
Matt’s mother, Kaye, and younger sister, Mehaley, are always his first point of call when arriving home. “Then I’ll head down to the pub with my mates,” Matt said.
Whereas on his next journey home Grizz, having two of his own daughters; Kyah, 4, and Tali, 18 months (and another one on the way!), is largely motivated to return and meet his sister’s new baby and show off his own kids.
“The family is expanding and I think it’s important we don’t miss out on each other’s children growing up,” Grizz said, “Maybe I’ll request a posting to Cairns next.”
Operation RESOLUTE, commanded by Border Protection Command, is the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the whole-of-government effort to safeguard Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone and other offshore areas.