20 June 2024
Confidence, resilience, education and fitness were just some of the qualities and skills developed by the seven newest graduates of the Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP), who have celebrated their graduation at HMAS Cairns.
Attended by family and friends, along with guests from visiting foreign Navy ships, the ceremony commenced with an introduction by Divisional Officer – NIDP Lieutenant Robert Bateman, who welcomed Indigenous Elder Hendrick Fourmile to conduct the Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.
The graduation parade was reviewed by Warrant Officer of the Navy, Warrant Officer Andrew Bertoncin, who acknowledged the momentous occasion and congratulated each of the recruits individually for their achievements.
Recruit Tyrelle Singleton from Cairns, was awarded 'Recruit of the Intake'. During his speech, he explained how he was inspired to better himself thanks to his brother, who currently serves in the Royal Australian Navy.
“Before joining the program, I was making poor choices and had little discipline,” Recruit Singleton said.
“But this opportunity has taught me that I can push myself, so that even when days were tough, I was able to look at the challenges as a chance to improve myself.
“I have really enjoyed the unique training activities and the work we did with the Clontarf Foundation, an organisation that is close to my heart, and I am looking forward to my future as a marine technician in the Royal Australian Navy.”
As a soon-to-be marine technician, another highlight for Recruit Singleton during the program was a tour on USS Emory S. Land during its visit to Cairns – a fully capable and mission-ready submarine tender, which provides expeditionary intermediate-level maintenance, services and logistics support to deployed submarines.
Recruit Paige Hull from Newcastle was the recipient of the 'Defence Values Award' for the intake and said that working as a team and creating lifelong bonds with her fellow recruits made the program an experience she would highly recommend.
Established in 2013, the NIDP is a 21-week developmental program for Indigenous Australians aged 17 to 35 from across the country. It offers pathways to build confidence, resilience and fitness, representing part of Navy’s Closing the Gap initiatives.
The program provides learning opportunities in everything from literacy and numeracy to physical fitness, leadership and maritime mastery. It also includes a cultural component, with students engaging in art and dance with local Indigenous communities.
To find out more about NIDP, visit ADF Careers.
