For young Indigenous woman Recruit Shartarni Brown, aspirations to become a medic in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) felt out of reach after high school, but completing the Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP) has brought her goal closer.
A Cairns local, Recruit Brown enlisted in the NIDP in January, looking to grow in confidence and learn more about her Indigenous culture.
She got involved in the program with the support of HMAS Cairns Regional Indigenous Development Coordinator Warrant Officer Jeremiah Savage (Uncle Jerry).
“I learned from Aunty Fran (NIDP Recruit Elder, Petty Officer Fran Visini) that from my dad’s side, my mob is Kaurareg in the Torres Strait, and on my mum’s side, the Yuin Nation from the south coast of New South Wales,” Recruit Brown said.
NIDP is a 22-week developmental program for Indigenous Australians aged 17 to 35, providing diverse learning opportunities across literacy and numeracy, physical fitness, leadership and maritime mastery.
The program also includes a cultural component, where students engage in cultural activities with local Indigenous leaders and communities.
“One of the biggest challenges of the program was being away from family and getting used to a completely different lifestyle,” Recruit Brown said.
“But you have your friends and the staff there to support you and to laugh together, and this makes it less challenging.
“Going through the program has given me the experience of being part of something, and I’ve made some good friends. There is so much support there to get through and complete the training.”
Accredited study through TAFE Queensland is a core element of NIDP, enabling participants to attain a Certificate II in Skills for Education, Training and Employment Pathways.
‘Going through the program has given me the experience of being part of something, and I’ve made some good friends.’
This provides graduates with the equivalent standard of Year 10 mathematics and English, supporting eligibility for ADF career pathways.
Because Recruit Brown had already achieved her Year 10 mathematics and English, NIDP course staff arranged for her to study biology instead, helping her meet the prerequisites for a career as a Navy medic.
“I started with the rest of the class, but was able to attempt Year 11 biology,” Recruit Brown said.
“I was enrolled in the unit and able to complete self-paced study.
“I was shocked because I didn’t complete the Year 11 biology in school, and I thought I wouldn’t be able to be a medic.
“Having the opportunity to do it now, have it paid for and have that motivation is really cool.”
Recruit Brown didn’t just excel in her academic studies, but was awarded Recruit of the Intake during the graduation parade.
“I’m really proud to have been awarded Recruit of the Intake,” she said.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve all achieved and can’t wait to continue with the next phase of training.”
Graduates who elect to pursue service within Navy, Army or Air Force are supported in their transition to ADF employment.
Recruit Brown will join the Royal Australian Navy Recruit School at HMAS Cerberus in July and undertake the 11-week intensive New Entry Sailors Course, before realising her aspirations and proceeding to medic training.
