18 August 2023
‘Storing ship’ (or restocking supplies) is routine for the crew of HMAS Canberra, but for Midshipman Courtney Taylor it's the start of a dream job.
As a Navy Officer Year One (NOYO), the first 12 months of her career gives Midshipman Taylor an appreciation of ship life before she heads off to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) to start her degree.
The experience gives Midshipman Taylor the chance to integrate within the Maritime Logistics Department to better understand her role for when she returns to sea as an assistant maritime logistics officer.
Midshipman Taylor said having a job that offers world travel and an education through Defence made the decision to become a maritime logistics officer an easy one.
“I posted to HMAS Canberra in June this year. It’s been great so far. I find it fascinating and I’m looking forward to studying a Bachelor of Arts at ADFA,” Midshipman Taylor said.
At 18, Midshipman Taylor is a long way from the farmlands she grew up on, picking leafy greens, wombok and broccoli in Stanthorpe, Queensland. Recently, though, a little piece of home came to her.
When HMAS Canberra pulled into Townsville for the logistics visit in August, a selection of fresh produce and dairy arrived on 53 pallets from suppliers far and wide, including lettuce from ‘Taylor Family Produce’.
“I was helping store ship with the crew unloading boxes off a pallet and realised it was my family’s produce,” Midshipman Taylor said.
“I said to my cabin mates, ‘Oh wow this is from my family farm.’ I got a little excited; it was such a surprise.
“Iceberg lettuce was one of the first produce they grew and has military ties as my family began growing it for the American military in 1933.
“I just couldn’t believe it when we unwrapped the pallets and saw it. I told my dad, who was so surprised and happy. I’ll look forward to eating this on board.”
Midshipman Taylor’s experience will also include spending time assisting the chefs in the galley, helping to prepare salads with the lettuce from her family farm.
Having never left Australia, Midshipman Taylor is looking forward to her time at sea – the start of her goal to travel the world with Navy.
For more information about careers in Navy, contact www.adfcareers.gov.au
