Defence Magazine

The Directorate of Defence Force Cadets (DDFC) recently visited indigenous communities in Bathurst Island, Daly River and Wadeye in the Northern Territory and Bamaga and Thursday Island in far north Queensland to explore ways to improve indigenous participation in the ADF Cadets.

"The visit really underscored the fact that each region and each community is remote, unique and different, so we have to be flexible in the way we deliver the Indigenous Participation Program," Assistant Secretary Cadet Policy Kim Isaacs says.

"Each region and community receives different levels of funding from different sources and the issues they face vary in complexity. Our Indigenous Participation Program needs to cater for those differences if it is to be successful."

As a result of the visit, DDFC will now develop an overarching strategic plan that will investigate the flexible delivery of training to indigenous cadets and cadet staff, regionally-sourced cultural awareness programs and recruitment strategies for indigenous cadet staff. Senior Women In Management participant Margaret Brookes has developed a flexible training model.

"We will also develop a business plan for each region that will be mindful of the different requirements so that cadet units can operate successfully and link in to the whole-of-government approach to dealing with indigenous issues," Ms Isaacs says.

In a related visit, DDFC also attended the first Townsville Australian Government Coordination Network for Indigenous Affairs to tap into local networks and establish partnerships with other government agencies already delivering projects to indigenous communities in the region.

"DDFC will build on these partnerships and explore ways of creating networks in far north Queensland and the Northern Territory. A whole-of-government approach is critical to the success of the Indigenous Participation Program in remote regions," Ms Isaacs says.

Taking the lead on activities

The Cadet-Initiated Activities (CIA) program managed by the Directorate of Defence Force Cadets empowers cadets by allowing them to identify, for themselves, activities they would like to take part in.

Cadets submit bids for funding to either undertake adventurous activities or purchase training equipment for their unit.

Now in its third year, the $500,000 CIA program is becoming more popular and competitive as cadets reap the benefits of activities, ranging from sailing and gliding camps to team-building exercises designed to enhance leadership skills.

Cadets have also been able to purchase flight simulation and GPS equipment and kayaks to help units, particularly in remote parts of Australia, diversify their training program and develop stimulating activities that are conducted in a safe and healthy environment.

DDFC has just concluded the latest round of CIA program funding.

Kicking goals for communities

NT Cadet Indigenous Liaison Officer, Graham Kickett
Photo provided by DDFC

As Cadet Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO) for all of the Northern Territory, Graham Kickett knows a thing or two about travel.

"Indigenous communities rely on a lot of face-to-face communication, so that means travelling on little planes to places like Nhulunbuy in the wet season and a fair bit of driving during the dry season," he says.

"The remoteness is not easy, and it can't be fixed by fax or email. If we are to work constructively with these communities, we have to understand their culture and preferred way of doing business."

As ILO, Mr Kickett's role is to overcome some of the barriers to indigenous youth and adults joining the ADF Cadets.

He brings to the position more than 15 years' experience in indigenous sport and recreation, housing, youth and business development and health and legal services in Geraldton, Katherine and Darwin.

Currently the NT has about 50 indigenous cadets and 10 cadet staff and Mr Kickett's immediate ambition is to see that the three cadet units in the Territory are formally and firmly embedded in the system - "so they are fully self-sufficient and operating as a cadet unit should".

"This job is all about creating an opportunity for indigenous youth and adults to gain the cadet experience and through it broaden their life experience," he says.

"There is a whole wide world out there, and by giving indigenous youth and adults a range of opportunities, I hope we will give them the confidence to have a go at a range of options in life.

"The program virtually sells itself. Once the kids see others having a good time, wearing the uniform and getting little rewards, they want to be a part of it.

"There is a real sense of pride in being a cadet ... Norforce has had a big influence on indigenous cadets - the kids see their fathers in the ADF and they want to be a part of it, too.

"In fact, the cadet experience and the relationship with Norforce and 51st [Far North Queensland Regiment] means the kids have a positive attitude to the ADF, which has all sorts of long-term and mutually beneficial spin-offs.

"That said, the best thing about the job is the day-to-day challenges, and the excitement of being involved with the ADF. The trick is to get it right from our end.

"The best solutions are those where it is win-win for everyone involved.

"That means acknowledging the differences in culture in each community and working within communities to deliver the best result."

- Gai Brodtmann

Breaching the barriers

The Indigenous Participation Program funds two Indigenous Liaison Officers, one in Darwin and one in Townsville, and a range of initiatives designed to breach the barriers to participation by indigenous youth in the ADF Cadets, particularly in remote regions.

"We are doing this by providing specific support to existing units in the Northern Territory and far north Queensland, which will function as test beds for more generic initiatives," Assistant Secretary Cadet Policy Kim Isaacs says.

"One of our aims is to develop programs that offer opportunities for Defence, indigenous cadets and the community. By working with Norforce and 51st Far North Queensland Regiment on training and stimulating activities for cadets we are positively positioning these units in the community and providing a beneficial youth development experience.

"The key to improving participation is to provide flexible initiatives that can be tailored to specific remote regions, but at the same time applied across the entire program. It is a real challenge, but one I am confident we can achieve, particularly with the assistance of our experienced and committed Indigenous Liaison Officers."

Defence

Vice Chief of the Defence Force

Flexible delivery in the far north

The Directorate of Defence Force Cadets is making a difference in indigenous communities through unique programs and visits to units, as Gai Brodtmann reports

Taking the lead on activities

Kicking goals for communities

Breaching the barriers