Ready to serve: Navy’s Indigenous program offers great opportunities
Eight Indigenous wannabe sailors and one wannabe soldier have graduated from the Royal Australian Navy Indigenous Development Program in Cairns this week, ahead of making their move to the Australian Defence Force and the Navy’s main recruit school in Victoria.
The 22-week course, led by Lieutenant Commander Phillip Norton and his staff has seen cadets, ranging from 17 to 35, both men and women, visit the Navy’s recruit school at HMAS Cerberus in Victoria and Sydney, where they visited many ships at Fleet Base East.
The first seven weeks consist mostly of military training and fitness but cadets also study at QLD TAFE where they gain a Certificate II in Skills for Education, Training and Employment Pathways, the equivalent of Year 10 maths and English.
Reviewing Officer, Commodore Training, Commodore John Stavridis speaks with recruit Shannille Ambrym.
They also attend the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College where they obtain a Certificate 1 in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal).
“There is absolutely no obligation for any graduate of NIDP to undertake a further career in the ADF,” LCDR Norton told First Nations News.
“However, about 63 per cent do. Of this current group of nine graduates, eight have chosen to pursue a career with Navy and one with Army.”
Recruits are paid during their time on the program and receive full health and dental care, accommodation and all food.
Newly graduated sailors from Navy Indigenous Development Program Intake 24 hug and celebrate after completion of their graduation ceremony.
LCDR Norton and his eight staff work closely with all to develop skills and help them overcome challenges.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for them, with no obligation to join the ADF, to learn about what we do, to improve their education and to develop as human beings,” LCDR Norton said.
“We take them down to Victoria to visit our main recruit school and to Sydney to visit warships, so they can see for themselves what life in the Navy is all about.”
The Navy is now looking to expand the program, now in its 11th year, to WA, but LCDR Norton and his team are currently preparing for the next intake, as nine new recruits start the program – and maybe a new career – next month.
Newly graduated sailors from Navy Indigenous Development Program Intake 24 hug and celebrate after completion of their graduation ceremony held at HMAS Cairns, Queensland.
Who are the recruits?
Recruit Ambrym:
My name is Shannille Ambrym, and I come from an Indigenous community in the Far North Queensland called Yarrabah. I am a proud Gunggandji/South Sea Islander woman. Growing up, I learned the importance of resilience, respect, and staying connected to culture lessons that guided me as I looked for new challenges and opportunities.
My journey to the Navy Indigenous Development Program was about more than just joining, it was about proving to myself that I could step outside my comfort zone while carrying my community with me. I joined because, I have two elder sisters who were also on the program, and an elder brother who was in the Army, so I wanted to feel what the military life is like. The program gave me the chance to grow in discipline, confidence, and teamwork.
During my time in the program I discovered how powerful it is to work alongside others, to push through challenges, and to embrace leadership. It wasn’t always easy, but every step reminded me of the strength I carry from my people. The experience has been transformative, showing me that I can serve with pride while inspiring others from my community to believe in their own potential.
Navy Indigenous Development Program Staff, Instructors and graduates of Intake 24 at HMAS Cairns, Queensland.
Recruit Conlon:
My name is Reece Conlon I’m from Winton Queensland and my mob is the Waka Waka tribe. Our land starts at parts of the upper and central Burnett River region, extending from Gayndah and Eidsvold in the north to Cherbourg and Nanango in the south.
My experience during the NIDP program was good I have made a bunch of really good friends we went through good times and bad times together. Getting to see other bases and recruit school was a fun experience. The best thing was getting to go on board ships for tours and seeing what it’s like aboard and to see how close everyone on a ship makes it even better.
Recruit Dowell:
I am McKenzie Dowell and I’m from Griffith NSW. My indigenous community is Wiradjuri. My journey in NIDP has been eye opening giving me opportunities I never thought I would get and it has given me a better understanding on how the Australian Defence Force works.
This experience has taught me to be more confident and that there is a bigger word than we realise. I think that it has given me a stronger mindset and more determination. It has also prepared me for my future navy career and made me want to peruse this career more.
Recruit Johnson:
My name is Talijah Johnson. I am from Mackay, QLD. My tribe is the Yidinji people. The Yidinji people are from far north Queensland known for their rich cultural heritage, beautiful lands and Yidinji language.
I am very family orientated so my experience in NIDP was hard not being able to walk into my mum’s room to talk or be able to sit in the backyard and yarn to dad but I made family in the program. I made friends I could lean on to talk to at the start. Everyone was raised different so we all have different views, but I don’t think I’d rather have been through this journey without all nine of these individuals.
Able Seaman Kieryn Nieves plays the didgeridoo during the graduation ceremony.
Recruit Krojs:
My name is Justin James Krojs, I’m from Revesby NSW 2212. My mob is the Wiradjuri.
My journey toward a career in the Royal Australian Navy began in September 2024 while I was working as a charter boat skipper on Sydney Harbour. Although I was passionate about joining the Navy, I knew I wasn’t yet fit enough to meet the requirements.
Determined to change that, I committed myself fully to training and a disciplined diet. At 105 kg, I set a goal to get into the best shape of my life before applying. After months of hard work and consistency, I reached my goal weight of 80 kg in March 2025. With that achievement behind me, I decided it was time to take the next step and submitted my application online through ADF Careers.
My experience in NIDP has been really positive. I’ve made long-lasting friends, built resilience, and grown in confidence. Over the past few months, I’ve learned to dig deep, stay focused, and back myself even when things get tough. I now feel ready and prepared for the next step.
Recruit Nawarie:
My name is Eliasoa Tyron Nawarie, I am a kaurareg man from Horn Island (Ngurupai) in the Torres Strait. My journey in the NIDP was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.
It started off as a poster on the wall then I decided to join. When I joined I was shy to talk to any of the recruits but as soon as we got to know each other we became one of the closest friends. I had a great experience in the NIDP. Some of the things we did in the NIDP was going on a trip to recruit school Cerberus and Sydney, a place I never had been before, which was amazing. My favourite memory was when we went on the American ship USS Rushmore.
Recruits stand on parade during Navy Indigenous Development Program graduation ceremony.
Recruit Patterson:
I am Nalani Patterson, I am from Inverell, NSW. My tribe is Kamilaroi. My journey at NIDP has been an eventful one, and an enjoyable one as well. I’ve done so many things here, things that I never thought I’d be able to do, or things that I never would have thought of doing.
Like going to bases and going on boats. But it hasn’t always been fun; there have been a few struggling moments, but those moments never lasted because of the people here.
My experience at NIDP has been something else entirely. I’ll definitely miss it. This is just a one-of-a-kind experience. I’ve met all kinds of people that I never thought I would have met ever in my life. What you go through here definitely will stick with you.
Recruit Wighton:
My name is Bianca Wighton. I’m from Gosford NSW and I’m from the Wiradjuri tribe.
I went into an interview at ADF careers and was told I could benefit from this program as I failed my year 10 English. This program has a TAFE component that we get our year 10 equivalent in math and English so that I can start my career in the Navy.
My experience at NIDP has been eye opening. Learning how the Navy works on a day to day basis has made me realise that I need to open myself to this new chapter that is going to be my life.
Director Training Authority – Initial Training Leadership and Management, Captain Joanne Haynes RAN and Recruit McKenzie Dowell cut a cake on completion of the graduation ceremony.
Recruit Woods:
My name is Brahim Yasene Woods, I am from Perth Western Australia. I am a Noongar from the Bunaba tribe.
My journey to defence started at the end of 2024 in November when I was living with a mate of my brother and his dad. They guided me and influenced me to go in the direction to not just Navy but ADF.
I was also influenced by my grandad growing up because he served in the military back when he was a teenager and has passed down knowledge and some strict rules to my brother and I growing up, and when he was in the military that’s when he met grandma who was a civilian nurse at the time.
I’ve always looked up to my grandad, he is who I want to be and become in the future. On my dad’s side of the family, my uncle is also in the ADF working in the Navy. I wanted to do something both my friend’s dad, my grandad and my uncle didn’t pick in defence to not only be a part of defence in my immediate family, but to try something new and represent, plus make them proud.
My experience in the Navy Indigenous Development Program was a great way to connect with both indigenous culture also defence navy culture and country. Being able to travel, experience and get the exposure to defence life and what it has to offer is a great way to start before making my march towards a carrier in defence.
